Washington has told Romania and allies it will reduce some US troops deployed on NATO's eastern flank, Romania's defence ministry said Wednesday, a move a NATO official swiftly downplayed to AFP.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised NATO, and insisted that European allies take more responsibility for its defence by boosting military spending as Ukraine battles Russia's invasion.

This latest announcement came after reports earlier this year that Washington could withdraw 10,000 troops from eastern Europe, which analysts have said could embolden Moscow.

Romania's Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu however said the decision was not a "withdrawal".

It was the "cessation of the rotation of a brigade that had elements in several NATO countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, Slovak

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