Germany Deploys Permanent Troops Abroad for the First Time Since WWII
The European nation has made a substantial effort to strengthen defenses on NATO's eastern flank in response to President Trump's request for Europe to contribute more towards its own defense.
Germany deployed a permanent military brigade beyond its borders for the first time since World War II. The Bundeswehr's deployment aims to defend Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia—former Soviet states now in NATO and the EU - against a potential Russian attack. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz inaugurated the unit in Vilnius, Lithuania on Thursday, March 22nd, emphasizing that the security of Baltic allies is also Germany’s security.
The move strengthens NATO's defenses amid continued threats from Russia, while the Trump administration’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine fail to materialize in any ceasefire agreement. Baltic nations remain especially vulnerable, due to their proximity to Russia and Belarus - the three countries are linked to NATO's main territory only by a narrow corridor known as the Suwalki Gap. The new brigade will consist of 4,800 soldiers, civilian staff, and vehicles, headquartered near Vilnius and fully operational by 2027.
Merz stated that any threat to an ally would lead to collective defense from NATO. Trump's push for higher European military spending, and temporary pause on military aid to Ukraine in March this year, has led countries like Lithuania and Poland to significantly increase their defense budgets.
Despite negotiations, tensions persist with Russia's latest moves creating a “security buffer zone” along its border with Ukraine. Discussions about such a zone have been ongoing since 2023. Putin's declaration turns the concept into concrete policy. The Institute for the Study of War warned that Russia might make more extreme territorial demands during ceasefire talks.
Germany's deployment of a permanent military brigade also indicates a change from the United States' security guarantee for Europe against Russia, which has been in place since World War II and influenced U.S. power across the continent.
The decision by Germany follows the commencement of discussions between the United States and European allies regarding the reduction of U.S. troops in Europe. When asked to respond to a report suggesting that the Trump administration is contemplating troop withdrawal from Europe, U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, stated that no decisions have been made and that the U.S. will consult with allies on troop changes to prevent security gaps. "The United States is going to remain in this alliance, and we are going to be a great friend an a great ally.” The Trump Administration has given no assurances it does not indeed intend to reduce its forces in Europe.
Whitaker simultaneously warned the European Union against restricting non-EU companies from European defense purchases, claiming that this would undermine NATO interoperability, slow Europe's rearming, raise costs and stifle innovation.
Whitaker echoes statements made by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte back in January 2025 in response to the European Commission’s proposal to allocate 1.5 billion euros to encourage countries to make joint purchases from European firms and motivate industry to increase capacity under the European Defence Industry Programme. While Rutte applauded the plan, he urged caution. "Including non-EU allies in European Union defense industrial initiatives is essential for ensuring the security of Europe," he stated. "Transatlantic defense industrial cooperation enhances our collective strength."
It is clear that Europe must develop its own sovereign capabilities for defense, given the lack of a continued strong commitment from the United States and the United States’ prioritization of other great power threats, namely posed by China.
In terms of weapons systems, interoperability has been a stumbling block for NATO, one that new and existing European defense manufacturers could more deftly avoid. However, it should not be used to justify continued reliance on U.S. defense manufactures at the expense of investment in and the growth of Europe’s domestic industry.
The statements by Ambassador Whitaker and NATO Secretary General Rutte, reflect the view that American defense contractors should continue to benefit from equal access to the European defense market- in spite of the withdrawal of U.S. political support for Europe and the NATO alliance. Furthermore, the U.S.’ tight restrictions on foreign companies competing for defense contracts should not be adopted in-kind by Europe.
Such a transactional approach to foreign relations, which prioritizes the United States’ own monetary interests over long-standing political alliances, deeply rooted in shared democratic values and experiences, is the hallmark of the current Trump Administration. Ultimately, it’s a dangerous game to play - likely more so for the U.S. than for Europe in the long run - if its leaders can see the moment for the opportunity that it is.
America’s disengagement has by necessity, catalyzed a strong collective effort at both the EU-wide and member state level, to beef up defense capabilities through increased public (and private) investment in domestic industries, the establishment of public-private partnerships, and the creation of new innovation hubs. Such initiatives have the potential to further galvanize sclerotic economies and transform dying industries into vibrant hot beds of innovation - ultimately serving a customer whose demand appetite will likely increase in the near term, and never completely disapparate.
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