India, May 23 -- NATO allies and defence officials expressed bewilderment on Friday at US President Donald Trump's announcement that he would send 5,000 US troops to Poland just weeks after he ordered the same number of forces pulled out of Europe.

The apparent change of mind came after weeks of statements from Trump and his administration about reducing - not increasing - the American military footprint in Europe.

Trump's initial order set off a flurry of action among military commanders and left allies already doubtful about America's commitment to Europe's security to ponder what forces they might have to backfill on NATO's eastern flank with Russia and Ukraine.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration said it was reducing level...