The United States will reduce the troop presence in Germany by 9,500 from 34,500 in coming months.

“We’re protecting Germany and they’re delinquent. That doesn’t make sense,” Trump said.

“Until they pay, we’re removing our soldiers, a number of our soldiers. When we get down to 25,000 we’ll see where we’re going,” Trump added.

On the other hand, congressional lawmakers criticized White House plans to withdraw thousands of U.S. service members from Germany, saying it will hurt military readiness.

“Pulling US troops out of Germany is in Russia’s interest, not America’s. Russia welcomes prospect of US troop pullback from Germany,” said Rep. Liz Cheney, a Wyoming Republican and member of GOP House leadership.

22 Republican members of the House Armed Services Committee wrote a letter, urging a rethink.

Some of the troops that the United States will withdraw from Germany are expected to be sent to Poland.