The leaders of Eastern Europe urges Trump to keep American troops on the side of NATO

Eastern European leaders urged President Donald Trump to keep American troops on the eastern NATO side after a wave of Russian air incursions and drones, warning that Vladimir Putin “pushes the limits” and “will only believe what he sees” allied defenses.

In interviews with Fox News Digital, Ministers of Estonia, Lithuania and Romania declared that the alliance was to tighten its posture – to go from air police to integrated air and missile defenses, sharpen the rules of engagement and maintain the rotations of American troops – to prevent Russia from normalizing violations and eroding the credibility of article 5. Calls for stricter sanctions and at the end of European energy dependence which finances the Kremlin war machine.

Their calls end while Washington weighs a new national security strategy aimed at prioritizing the defense of the fatherland. Before the most recent incursions, US officials had warned the allies to prepare a reduction in the American footprint, pressing Europe to assume a larger share of the burden.

“We hope that American troops will stay in the region. Their presence ensures peace and send a clear signal,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Margus Tsahkna. “Putin only understands the language of force. His goal is the restoration of the Soviet Empire.”

Russian planes invaded two NATO members in two weeks. What are we going to do about it?

Vladimir Putin “pushes the limits” and “will only believe what he sees” allied defenses, said the leaders of Eastern Europe. (Kremlin Press Office / Handout / Anadolu via Getty Images)

This month, Russian drones were detected in Polish and Romanian airspace, while the MIG-29 which wear Russian missiles have briefly crossed the Estonian territory. For the ninth time this year, the Russian jets were also identified in the Alaska air defense identification area.

Before the United States, the global posture of the force is expected, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstatis Budrys, said that deterrence should be visible and not theoretical.

He said he had pleaded for American counterparts: “This presence makes the difference. It forces Russia to change its calculations.”

“Russia, they must see. They do not believe in our plans and our protocols. They believe in what they see. So they cross our airspace, and they see no reaction,” he continued. “With the presence of the troops. When they see that they are stationed there, and they train. And they interact with the local armed forces. For them, it is the message which, in agreement, we do not enter it.”

“American rotation deployments are one of the most effective deterrents,” said Budrys. “Russia does not believe in our plans; he believes what he sees.”

Romania warning

The Romanian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Oana țoiu, has echoed the Balts, adding that the security of the Black Sea is linked to American interests.

“Each country establishes its priorities, but the security of the eastern flank also serves American security and financial interests-there is real joint investment, cyber, energy and infrastructure potential if security is ensured,” she said.

Russia goes from conversation to action, targeting the homeland of NATO in the midst of world war fears

ȚOiu noted that Romania has authorized its forces to shoot down Russian drones which threaten its territory and its economy and stressed the importance of the American presence of NATO. Bucharest is also positioned as a supplier of regional energy, expanding nuclear energy with American support and pressing the fields of natural gas in the Black Sea.

Three Russian mig-29 hunting planes entered Estonian airspace last week. (Sefa Karacan / Anadolu agency via Getty Images)

Washington’s role

About 80,000 American soldiers are stationed across Europe, according to the US European Command – down around 105,000 just after the large -scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Thousands of tours turn through Lithuania, Estonia welcomes a persistent American contingent and around 3,000 are based in Romania, according to the State Department.

Despite speculation on American samples, Trump and senior officials sharpened their rhetoric. On Monday, the American ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz promised to Washington would defend “every centimeter” from the NATO territory. Trump suggested that intruding Russian planes should be slaughtered and insisted by Ukraine, with European support, can resume his entire territory.

The Ukrainian soldiers from the 44th artillery brigade draw a self -propelled belly by 2S22 Bohdana to Russian positions. Eastern Europeans suggested that NATO must defend its front lines. (Photo Danylo Antoniuk / AP)

Representative Joe Wilson, RS.C., principal member of the Chamber’s Foreign Affairs Committee, said these statements had a resonance.

“NATO unit has never been clearer,” Wilson told Fox News Digital. “Sweden and Finland are now members. Trump has properly stressed that allies do not reach 2%, now it goes to 5%. This means peace by force.”

Click here to obtain the Fox News app

Eastern Sentry

In response to the provocations of Russia, NATO launched Eastern Sentry on September 12, 2025. Multidomaine activity, led by allied command operations, brings together hunting jets, naval assets and counter -droeles of several allies to connect the gaps and rotation of forces on the eastern flank – Baltic to the Black Sea. Unlike static accumulation, the mission is designed to quickly adapt to emerging threats and demonstrate flexible deterrence.