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Pentagon to REL: No changes in force deployment

2026-02-19 19:57:06, Kosova & Bota CNA

A US Department of Defense official told Radio Free Europe that, currently, there is no change in the deployment of US forces.

"Today, we have no changes to the deployment of forces to announce," he said in a written response.

REL requested comment from the US Department of Defense, after the American newspaper Politico, citing four NATO diplomats, said that the United States is asking the alliance to reduce its foreign activity, including that in the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo - KFOR.

In comments to REL, a NATO official said that the United States plays an essential role in supporting sustainable security in Kosovo and regional stability.

However, he stressed that American authorities are the address for more details.

He added that the US currently has around 600 troops engaged in the KFOR mission and that it leads the Regional Command East.

Regional Command East contributes to KFOR's daily activities in various ways, including patrols, exercises, engagements with representatives of all local communities, and support for reconstruction and economic development projects.

REL requested comments regarding Politico's reporting from the Government of Kosovo and the Ministry of Defense, and is awaiting responses.

According to Politico, in recent months, Washington has lobbied for the reduction of NATO's peacekeeping operation in Kosovo, KFOR, to end the mission in Iraq, and for allies from the Indo-Pacific to not participate in the alliance's annual summit held in Ankara, Turkey, in July.

This reporting comes after concerns were raised among European states last year that the US could completely withdraw its troops from Europe.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had told Europe at the time that it should prepare for a review and eventual reduction of the US military presence.

However, a full withdrawal did not occur, and in October the US announced the withdrawal of some troops from Romania. This withdrawal was said to be part of a broader US strategy to focus on the Indo-Pacific.

The US has 590 troops in Kosovo as part of the KFOR peacekeeping mission.

From the nearly 50,000 troops deployed in 1999, after the end of the war, there are currently 4,767 KFOR peacekeeping troops from 33 different countries in Kosovo.

Camp Bondsteel, located near Ferizaj, serves as the largest US military base in the Balkans.

Kosovo considers the alliance with the United States, a country that has contributed to its independence and state-building, to be essential.

Otherwise, KFOR is the third security responder in Kosovo, after the Kosovo Police and the European Union rule of law mission, EULEX.

This NATO peacekeeping mission is, among other things, responsible for security on the border between Kosovo and Serbia. /REL