Pentagon cuts US military spending in Europe 15 times

According to RIA Novosti on September 10, after analyzing the budget documents of the US Department of Defense, it showed that this agency will cut the budget for the combat readiness of the US military in Europe in 2026 by nearly 15 times compared to 2023.

RIA Novosti points out that the program in question is the European segment of the APS-2 (Army Reserve Program-2), which provides for the US military reserve. Spending on the program has been cut for the fourth consecutive year. Specifically, in 2023, this figure amounts to about $495 million; in 2024 - $251.7 million; in 2025 - $116.9 million; in 2026 - $33.4 million.

The decision is related to an April memo from the US Secretary of Defense directing the military to eliminate legacy programs, prioritize high-tech projects and put the APS-2 into what is known as sustainment mode, according to the budget proposal.

Media outlets have previously reported that the Trump administration is preparing deeper cuts to security programs in Eastern Europe, including cuts to the Baltic Security Initiative and funding under Section 333 of the US law, which provides training, intelligence sharing and equipment to the militaries of partner countries.

Overall, spending on the APS program is expected to decline from $660.2 million in 2023 to $330.8 million in 2026, reflecting Washington's strategic shift away from Europe, and toward the Pacific region.