BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of American military forces in Europe on Thursday, emphasizing that the outcome will depend on how quickly European nations take responsibility for their own security. This announcement was unexpected for European allies and Canada, who are adjusting to a changing relationship with the U.S. U.S. officials had previously indicated a commitment to coordinate closely with European nations as the U.S. reduces its military presence.
In recent months, there have been mixed signals from the Trump administration regarding U.S. military support for NATO allies. Hegseth stated, "This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe."
During his speech at NATO headquarters, Hegseth criticized European allies for not providing U.S. forces access to bases in Europe for potential operations, stating that it puts American personnel at risk. He also expressed concerns about European policies on migration and gender equality, suggesting they detract from defense priorities.
Hegseth's comments were met with silence from defense ministers and military officers present. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte noted that European allies and Canada had increased defense spending significantly, with a reported $90 billion increase last year, marking a 20% rise compared to 2024.
The review comes ahead of a NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Turkey. Hegseth's visit to NATO was brief, and he departed before the meeting concluded. He mentioned that while many countries are committed to meeting defense spending targets, there are still some that need to improve.
NATO's supreme allied commander is developing backup plans to ensure European defense capabilities, especially after the U.S. indicated it would reduce military resources available for NATO operations. The U.S. maintains that it will not withdraw its nuclear weapons from Europe, which are crucial for NATO's deterrence strategy. Rutte downplayed the implications of the U.S. military review, stating that it is a planning tool rather than a definitive measure of military support in times of conflict.