The United States may pull 10,000 troops out of Eastern Europe, reports BBC News. Some analysts say the move would embolden Russia.

About 20,000 additional troops were deployed to the region in 2022 under former President Joe Biden, bolstering NATO's eastern flank after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The BBC quotes six US and European officials confirming discussions to halve the number of troops deployed, with the focus on cutting numbers in Romania and Poland.

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has pushed for a quick end to the more than three-year-old war in Ukraine, but has yet to achieve a breakthrough.

He has repeatedly criticised NATO and urged Europe to take more responsibility for its defence by increasing military spending and taking the initiative in arming Ukraine.

Any reduction in U.S. forces would increase "President Vladimir Putin's willingness to intervene in various ways across the spectrum in Europe," said Seth Jones of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

About 100,000 U.S. troops are currently deployed in Europe. 65,000 of them are permanently based on the continent, while the rest are rotational personnel and reinforcements. | BGNES