US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed to NATO's European allies on Friday that they should learn to live with fewer American troops on their continent, as the alliance prepares for the Ankara summit in July with Donald Trump.

Mr. Rubio confirmed to the press that there would indeed be “in the long run, fewer American troops”, following a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, in southern Sweden.

“None of this is surprising, although of course I fully understand that it may create some nervousness” among European allies, he added.

He also announced that an adjustment should be announced “today or in the coming days” concerning what some at NATO call “the cavalry”, the pool of forces that can be mobilized within 180 days if necessary.

A “confusing” situation

US President Donald Trump has once again surprised his European allies by announcing on Thursday the postponement of sending 4,000 additional troops to Poland, after announcing in early May the withdrawal of 5,000 American troops from Germany.

The US Secretary of State assured that this was not “punitive” in any way.

“Marco Rubio was extremely cordial and composed. I think there are messages he delivers that sometimes offend European allies, but which are more aimed at his domestic policy,” Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot explained to AFP.

The current situation is rather “confusing,” said Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, host of the meeting, the first for her country, a member of the Alliance since only 2024. “It’s not always easy to find your way around.”