Vance Says U.S. Troop Deployment to Poland Delayed, Not Canceled

U.S. troops to Poland had been delayed rather than canceled. Speaking at a White House briefing, Vance called the pause a very small and very minor thing and blamed European media for overreacting to the decision.

U.S. policy. He noted that the troops could go elsewhere in Europe and that officials have not made a final determination on their ultimate destination.

U.S. officials said the deployment had been scrapped, marking the latest move by the Trump administration to reduce troop numbers in European NATO allies. The Pentagon announced at the beginning of May that Washington would pull 5,000 troops from Germany.

Trump has appeared determined to punish allies who have failed to back the Middle East war or contribute to a peacekeeping force in the Strait of Hormuz waterway, which Iran has effectively closed. U.S. aid to Ukraine, said Trump had been urging European allies to take more of the burden for their defense since his first term.

“It is a delay in troop rotation. We could decide to send them elsewhere.”