Today, Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced his country's intention to deploy 500 additional troops to Germany.
In support of NATO, he also urged Berlin to increase its military spending in the alliance.
After a meeting between the US Secretary of Defense and his German counterpart, Ingrid Karenbauer, in Berlin, Austin told reporters, “I briefed the minister about our intention to permanently deploy about 500 additional American personnel in the Wiesbaden region as early as this fall,” as part of strengthening deterrence and defense in Europe.
Austin - who is visiting Germany at the start of his first tour in Europe - added that he encourages Germany to increase its military spending in NATO.
In another context, the US Secretary of Defense commented on the "Nord Stream" project for the gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, saying, "We have expressed our opposition to this agreement and the influence that it will in fact grant to Russia, but we will not let this issue stand in the way of the wonderful relationship that Connect us to Germany. "