The withdrawal of American troops from Romania and other Eastern European countries sends a wrong message and makes no strategic sense, stated retired General Ben Hodges, former commander of U.S. forces in Europe.
In an interview with TVR, Hodges emphasized that the departure of the 1,200 American soldiers from Mihail Kogălniceanu base is not a military disaster, but the timing is highly inappropriate.
"I think this is a very bad moment. Russia is waging a war in Europe right now, in the Black Sea, vis-à-vis Romania, and is conducting operations in the gray zone – hybrid warfare – against NATO countries, including Romania.
Why would we reduce the American presence in Eastern Europe at such a moment? It makes no strategic sense to me. I think this is partly the result of the Trump administration not wanting to admit that Russia is an aggressor, an enemy, and that it is at war with all of us, although we wish it wasn't," said Ben Hodges.
However, from a military standpoint, the situation is not tragic, and Romania and other NATO allies can easily cope: "Romania has been a key ally for many years and will need to continue doing what it is doing now, strengthening its defense. It is on the right track. It's not just about buying new equipment. It's also about society, which needs to be prepared to face disinformation, but also to be prepared with water, batteries, candles, rations, if necessary."
Similar criticisms have also come from the association of former American veterans, Veterans on Duty, which criticized the Pentagon's move and praised Republican politicians leading the defense committees in the U.S. Congress for requesting the Pentagon to explain the decision.
According to Kiev Post, American congressmen plan to submit, in the coming days, a bill to block the withdrawal of American troops from Europe.