Russian Foreign Ministry: If the United States reduces its presence in Europe, it will help ease regional tensions
Xinhua News Agency, Moscow, June 11 (Reporter Leo) Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Zaharova said on the 11th that if the United States can reduce the number of US troops in Europe, it will help ease tensions in Europe.
Zaharova said at a regular press conference that day that Russia would welcome any move by the US to effectively reduce its military presence in Europe. If the US can do this, it will help ease potential confrontation and military and political tensions in the region.
Zaharova said that Russia believes that European countries have the ability to independently guarantee their own security without American protection. She said that the United States will not provide protection "selflessly", but has been asking countries such as Germany to increase spending on the NATO budget.
Zaharova said that the US side proposed to reduce the number of its troops stationed in Germany, but soon the relevant parties invited the US military to move to Poland, which made the Russian side alert.
According to US media reports on the 5th, US President Trump has asked the Pentagon to withdraw nearly 10,000 US troops from Germany before September.