On June 6, 2020, Trump directed the Pentagon to remove 9,500 American troops from Germany – capping the total number at 25,000.
A White House official and Trump said the move was partially influenced by U.S. frustration with Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, owned by Russia's Gazprom, and with Germany's unwillingness to spend more on defense in support of NATO.
On June 24, 2020, Trump said at a press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda that the United States plans to move some U.S. troops from Germany to Poland.
Trump said "I think [putting more US troops in Poland] sends a very strong signal to Russia."

The announcement reportedly caught NATO, Germany, and the Pentagon off guard.
Trump's announcement faced immediate criticism from all corners, including from Republicans on Capitol Hill who believed the move would embolden Russia and harm NATO.
Trump's plan to withdraw troops created tensions with Esper and other top Defense Department officials, who feared that a withdrawal of U.S. troops from bases in Germany would compromised America's defense against Russia.
 
On June 26, Esper traveled to NATO headquarters in Brussels to meet with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.
 
On June 30, Esper met with Trump at the White House to brief him on the proposed Defense Department plan.
Trump approved Esper's proposal, recognizing that a rapid withdrawal of troops from Germany was “logistically impossible”.
On June 6, 2020, Trump directed the Pentagon to remove 9,500 American troops from Germany – capping the total number at 25,000. A White House official and Trump said the move was partially influenced by U.S. frustration with Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, owned by Russia's Gazprom, and with Germany's unwillingness to spend more on defense in support of NATO. On June 24, 2020, Trump said at a press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda that the United States plans to move some U.S. troops from Germany to Poland. Trump said "I think [putting more US troops in Poland] sends a very strong signal to Russia."
The announcement reportedly caught NATO, Germany, and the Pentagon off guard. Trump's announcement faced immediate criticism from all corners, including from Republicans on Capitol Hill who believed the move would embolden Russia and harm NATO. Trump's plan to withdraw troops created tensions with Esper and other top Defense Department officials, who feared that a withdrawal of U.S. troops from bases in Germany would compromised America's defense against Russia.  
On June 26, Esper traveled to NATO headquarters in Brussels to meet with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.  
On June 30, Esper met with Trump at the White House to brief him on the proposed Defense Department plan. Trump approved Esper's proposal, recognizing that a rapid withdrawal of troops from Germany was “logistically impossible”.
Mark Esper