Most US Troops Have Left Estonia
Estonia's defense minister Hanno Pevkur said the next US unit is expected to arrive this summer, but its size and future plans remain unclear as the Pentagon conducts a six-month review.
Estonia's Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur has revealed that the majority of US troops have already left the country. Previously, up to 700 American soldiers were stationed in Estonia, but now fewer than 100 remain.
Speaking to ERR, Pevkur noted that conversations with the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe and the US Army Europe commander confirmed that the next US unit should arrive in Estonia this summer and stay until the end of the year. However, the unit's size is unknown, and there is no information about what will happen in subsequent years.
The minister stated that clarity will come only after the Pentagon completes a six-month review of US force posture in Europe. He added that no announcements regarding US troop deployment are expected at this week's NATO summit in Ankara.
For now, Estonia must rely on its own national defense forces and NATO battlegroups rotating through the Baltic states. Since 2017, Estonia has hosted a UK-led NATO battlegroup, which also includes French troops.
