Vance Calls U.S. Military Deployment Plan in Poland Cancellation a "Routine Rotation Delay"

On May 19, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Huang Qiang and Xu Jianmei) that U.S. Vice President Pence stated at a White House press conference that regarding media reports about the recent cancellation of plans to deploy a U.S. military force of more than 4,000 troops to Poland this month, “it is not a reduction, but rather a routine rotation delay.”

Pence said he believes this is “not a bad thing for Europe,” and in fact, it is “encouraging Europe to take on more autonomous responsibility.” He stated that the U.S. cannot act as the “world’s police,” and that Europe must rely more on its own strength to stand firm. “This will continue to be our policy towards Europe,” he added.

Pence also mentioned that these U.S. troops may be sent to other regions in Europe, and that the claim of a “large-scale withdrawal” of U.S. forces is not accurate; he believes many European media reactions to this matter have been “somewhat excessive.”

U.S. Army Acting Chief of Staff Christopher Cavoli stated on the 15th during a congressional hearing that Defense Secretary Esper ordered the cancellation of the planned 9-month rotation deployment of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division in Poland. This deployment plan was officially canceled earlier that week.

On the 2nd, U.S. President Trump stated in a media interview that the U.S. plans to significantly reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in Germany, with the withdrawal number expected to “far exceed” the 5,000 announced by the Pentagon on the 1st. Some critics believe the withdrawal is intended as retaliation against NATO allies that did not join the U.S. in military actions against Iran.