The Pentagon has officially announced a plan to expel most American forces from the country • Republican and Democratic lawmakers have sharply criticized the plan

• American soldiers leave Germany // Photo: AP

The United States announced today the launch of an operation to repatriate 12,000 American troops stationed in Germany, following President Trump's decision last month to withdraw a large part of the European Union force following its expected compliance with NATO funding.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Asper said during a briefing at Pentagon reporters that the plan would cost billions of dollars and spread over several years. Although 12,000 troops will leave Germany, almost half of them will be transferred to other European destinations according to the plan.

The plan, which is expected to significantly reduce the U.S. military presence in Europe, has met with opposition from both congressional factions. Republican lawmakers have argued that the plan would weaken the United States' position vis-à-vis Russia and provide a "reward" for Moscow's aggressive conduct in Ukraine.

President Trump today defended the plan, saying the reason for carrying out the plan was Berlin's refusal to bear spending two percent of its GNP in funding NATO spending.

"We spend a lot of money in Germany, they exploit us in trade and they exploit us in the military, so we reduce our forces there."