Trump visits U.S. troops in Germany after surprising brief stay in Iraq

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday arrived at Ramstein Air Base in Germany after his surprise visit to U.S. troops in Iraq.

According to reports by media outlets traveling with Trump, Air Force One carrying the first couple landed in Germany at 3:37 p.m. local time (1437 GMP). Trump met with military officers and units based at Ramstein before heading back to Washington D.C..

Earlier, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders told reporters during the flight to Germany that Trump had spoken on the phone with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi from the Al Asad Air Base.

During the call, Trump invited the Iraqi leader to visit the White House and his offer was accepted, she said.

The two leaders had been scheduled to meet in person at the base, but the meeting was canceled for security and logistical reasons, she said.

She said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to meet with the Iraqi leader in Baghdad on Jan. 11.

Sanders also said that during a briefing in Iraq with U.S. senior military leaders about countering the Islamic State, Trump and they “came up with a powerful plan that will allow us to continue on a path to total victory.”

“People will begin to see the results very soon,” she said, without giving further details.

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump, in an unannounced visit to the American soldiers stationed in Iraq, defended his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria and promised that he has no plan to pull the troops out of Iraq.