Germany’s Bild newspaper reports that Italy is preparing for a potential withdrawal of U.S. troops from Kosovo, a move that could leave European allies alone in the Balkans against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his powerful military.
According to Bild, security services and politicians across Europe are increasingly concerned about U.S.-Russia negotiations. Reports suggest that discussions in Riyadh, which began yesterday, could lead to a significant reduction of U.S. military presence across Europe.
A senior Eastern European security official told Bild that these negotiations could be linked to Vladimir Putin’s 2021 demands, which called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from all NATO countries that joined the alliance after 1990.
According to NATO’s official website:
- Italy currently has 1,258 troops in Kosovo.
- The U.S. maintains 602 troops.
A U.S. military withdrawal from Kosovo could shift the balance of power in the region, leaving European allies to manage security challenges on their own amid ongoing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia.
With increasing uncertainty surrounding U.S. military commitments, European nations may need to reconsider their defense strategies in the Balkans.
