Germany announced that it would cover the salaries of 11,000 U.S. troops stationed in the country.

The country’s finance ministry told AFP on Wednesday that the federal government, along with the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, has initiated a deal to ensure local troops are paid, as it remains unclear whether U.S. payments will be made during the shutdown.

“The federal government will initiate an unscheduled expenditure to ensure that October salaries are paid on time,” the spokeswoman said.

The NATO ally hosts more U.S. troops than any other European country, with approximately 35,000 service members stationed there. Military personnel are considered “essential” during a shutdown, which means they must continue to work without pay.

On Oct. 15, President Donald Trump signed an order

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