Doha: The withdrawal of a brigade from its forces stationed in parts of Europe does not constitute a withdrawal from the continent, the US military confirmed Wednesday. In a statement, the military said the move is not a US withdrawal from Europe, nor a signal of a reduced commitment to NATO and Article 5 of its treaty, which stipulates that all 32 NATO members must assist a member state if it is attacked.

According to Qatar News Agency, Romania's Ministry of Defense had earlier indicated a reduction in the number of US forces in the country, noting that Washington would halt rotations of a brigade that had elements in several NATO countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary.

In the meantime, NATO said it had been informed in advance of the US plan to reduce its forces in its eastern countries, describing the move as merely an adjustment to the current posture and not involving anything extraordinary.