The United Nations announced Wednesday that it will cut a quarter of its global peacekeeping force in the coming months, forcing thousands of troops to return home from missions worldwide. The decision comes amid reduced funding from the United States, the UN’s largest donor, which is aligning its contributions with President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy.
A senior UN official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that roughly 13,000 to 14,000 military and police personnel out of more than 50,000 peacekeepers deployed across nine missions will be affected. The cuts will also impact UN operations in Somalia, and the peacekeeping budget is expected to shrink by approximately 15% this year.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres defended peacekeeping operations, noting that the UN budget for these missions represents only about half of one percent of global military spending, yet remains “one of the most effective and cost-effective tools to build international peace and security.”
The reductions follow a Tuesday meeting between Guterres and representatives of major donor countries, including Mike Waltz, the new US ambassador to the UN. Waltz and other Trump administration officials have criticized the UN for what they call bloated and redundant operations, pledging to halt further contributions until a full review of all UN agencies and programs is completed.
Since Trump began his second term, US funding cuts have already impacted several UN bodies, including UNESCO, the World Health Organization, and the top human rights office. More than 60 UN offices, agencies, and operations now face 20% job cuts as part of broader reform efforts.
The UN currently maintains peacekeeping missions in countries including Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Kosovo. Historically, UN peacekeeping has grown from 11,000 troops at the end of the Cold War to around 52,000 today, serving in 11 conflict areas across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
The United States has committed $680 million to nine peacekeeping missions this year, down from $1 billion last year, while China has indicated it will pay its full contribution by year-end.
