WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is likely to accept request for a slower reduction of U.S. troops in Europe, Pentagon officials said on Monday.

　　Gates is "inclined to embrace" a request by Gen. Bantz Craddock, the head of the U.S. military's European Command, to reconsider plans to move back some U.S. forces from Europe, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.

　　Whitman said that Craddock requested to delay the redeployment of two combat brigades in Europe. A U.S. Army brigade usually has between 3,000 and 5,000 soldiers.

　　Citing the need to train and promote cooperation with European forces, U.S. military commanders earlier this month called for a slower reduction of U.S. troop levels in Europe.

　　They also noted concerns about a more assertive Russia as reasons for the request.

　　However, Whitman said "there are an awful lot of details that have to be worked out still" and any change in redeployment plans would have to be reviewed in conjunction with projects to reorganize military bases in America.

　　As the United States gradually cut back its military presence in Europe, the number of U.S. troops based in the continent has reduced to 50,000 now from 62,000 two years ago, according to the Pentagon statistics.