Pentagon: Pentagon officials were unaware of the recent decision to cancel the deployment of 4,000 US troops to Poland, Politico reported Thursday.

According to Anadolu Agency, a US official reportedly noted, "We had no idea this was coming," highlighting that European and American officials have been engaged in discussions over the past 24 hours to comprehend the decision and anticipate any further unexpected developments.

The remarks follow a report by The Wall Street Journal indicating that the planned rotation involving more than 4,000 US troops to Poland had been paused. Some personnel and equipment were already on route to Europe when the decision was made.

Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, a former commander of the US Army in Europe, emphasized the significance of the army's presence in the region for deterring Russian aggression, safeguarding America's strategic interests, and reassuring allies. He expressed concern that an important asset intended for these purposes is now absent.

Hodges also mentioned that Poland has consistently shown support for President Donald Trump, fulfilling expected allied responsibilities, which makes the recent decision even more surprising. Similarly, Joel Linnainmaki, a former Finnish official, described the move as a "major challenge" to Europe's security and a disruptive shift of responsibility to European nations.

The decision is particularly significant for allies adjacent to Russia, as it necessitates a reassessment of their strategic calculations. Poland and Finland, both sharing extensive borders with Russia, are directly impacted by such strategic decisions.

Earlier this month, the Pentagon announced plans to withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany, following tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over criticisms related to the US-Iran conflict. Trump has repeatedly suggested withdrawing US troops from Europe, citing insufficient defensive contributions from the continent.