The U.S. Congress intends to prohibit the Pentagon from reducing the number of American troops in Europe below 76,000.

Axar.az reports that the relevant provisions have been included in the draft bill that will be put to a vote this week.

It is reported that the restrictions will remain in effect until Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the head of U.S. European Command (EUCOM), Alexis Grinkevich, confirm to Congress that reducing troop numbers is in line with the national security interests of the United States and that consultations have been held with NATO allies on this matter.

Similar restrictions also apply to the minimum number of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, with the threshold set at 28,500 personnel.