Germany says U.S. troop withdrawal 'anticipated', Spain and Italy could be next

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives a statement during his visit to the army at the Bundeswehr base in Munster, Germany, Thursday, April, 30, 2026. Markus Schreiber/AP hide caption toggle caption Markus Schreiber/AP German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius sought to project calm Saturday after the Pentagon announced it would withdraw roughly 5,000 troops from his country, calling the decision "anticipated" and insisting his country is ready to shoulder more of the burden of its defense. …