Russia's annexation of Crimea could prompt a review of the U.S. military presence in Europe, which has declined steadily since the end of the Cold War, a senior Pentagon official said Tuesday. "While we do not seek confrontation with Russia, its actions in Europe and Eurasia may require the United States to re-examine our force posture in Europe and our requirement for future deployments, exercises, and training in the region" said Derek Chollet, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs. About 67,000 U.S. military personnel are currently stationed in Europe, mainly in Germany, but also significantly in Italy and Britain. When the Soviet Union collapsed in late 1991, the total U.S. presence was 285,000. Chollet, testifying before the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, did not specify what such a re-examination could entail at a time when the Pentagon faces budget cuts and is seeking to redeploy part of its resources to the Asia-Pacific region. "Russia's unlawful military intervention in Ukraine challenges our vision of a Europe whole, free, and at peace" Chollet said. "It changes Europe's security landscape. It causes instability on NATO's borders. It is a challenge to the international order."
