The Secretary of Defense of the United States, Pete Hegseth, issued a warning to NATO countries. He announced a six-month review of the US military presence in Europe, subject to allies making progress in taking over their own defense. The message generated uncertainty among Alliance partners, who face contradictory signals from Washington.
A call for European autonomy
During a meeting in Brussels, Hegseth said the review seeks to accelerate the transition towards European leadership in defense. He assured that the United States will reduce its participation if the allies do not increase their military capabilities. He also criticized access to military bases and questioned European policies on migration and gender equality.
The statements come amid inconsistent messaging from the U.S. government about its role in NATO. They include prior warnings that Washington could limit its military support in the event of an attack on a member country. This has forced allies to urgently rethink their defense strategy and spending.
NATO Response
Alliance leaders defended European advances in military investment. They noted that spending has increased significantly in recent years. Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Europe and Canada have strengthened their capabilities, although he acknowledged that there are still gaps to fill.
The tension between Washington and its allies comes on the eve of an upcoming NATO summit in Türkiye. European military autonomy and the future of American commitment are expected to dominate the agenda, in a context of growing uncertainty about the cohesion of the Atlantic Alliance.
