US Suddenly Cancels Plan to Deploy 4,000 Troops to Poland: Why?
The US government has suddenly cancelled plans to deploy 4,000 US troops to Poland, as Washington restructures its forces in Europe after announcing the withdrawal of thousands of troops from Germany.
“The commander of US European Command received instructions regarding troop reductions,” said General Christopher LaNeve, acting chief of staff of the US Army, during a US congressional hearing when asked about the cancellation of the deployment.
“I have been working with him in close consultation on which troop units will be used, and it… makes the most sense for that brigade not to deploy to the region,” said LaNeve, referring to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team.
As reported by the AFP news agency on Saturday (16/5/2026), according to the general, some elements of the unit have been sent abroad and its equipment is en route. He said the order to cancel the deployment came from the office of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said the deployment was cancelled “a few days ago.”
Republican Congressman Don Bacon said the Polish government was not informed in advance.
“They called me yesterday. They didn’t know, they were surprised,” Bacon said during the congressional hearing. He called the cancellation of the deployment “disgraceful” and “an embarrassment to our country.”
Earlier this month, the US Department of Defence, or the Pentagon, announced that Washington would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the withdrawal was expected “to be completed within the next six to twelve months.”
The announcement came amid a heated dispute between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the US-Israel war against Iran.
Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Friday (15/5) that the cancellation of the troop deployment to his country may be related to the withdrawal of US troops from Germany.
Trump has threatened to reduce the number of US troops in Germany and other European allies. Trump said he wants Europe to take greater responsibility for its defence rather than relying on Washington.