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US Defense Secretary: Military presence in Europe won't last forever

US Defense Secretary: Military presence in Europe won't last forever

"Europe cannot assume that the US military presence on the continent will last forever," US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said at a press conference in Warsaw, Poland.

Asked whether, as part of negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, the United States would consider reducing its military presence in Eastern Europe or giving up its permanent military presence in Poland, Hegseth stressed that his country is "committed to the NATO alliance," but suggested that its future military footprint in Europe is up for debate, CNN writes.

"US troop levels on the continent are important," the Secretary said.

"What happens 5, 10 or 15 years from now is part of a broader discussion that reflects the level of threat, America's stance and our needs around the globe," he added.

"That's why our message is so strong to our European allies: Now is the time to invest. Because you can't assume America's presence will last forever," the US Secretary of Defense concluded the statement.

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