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Defense Spending · Geopolitics · Military Review · NATO
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a sweeping six-month Pentagon review of US troop deployments in Europe and warned NATO allies that Washington will withhold alliance financial contributions if "free riding" states fail to meet defense spending commitments, aiming for Europe to assume primary responsibility for its own defense.
This move deepens divisions within NATO, as the US shifts its strategic focus to the Pacific and Middle East, raising concerns among European capitals about potential US force reductions. Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski emphasized Europe's need for a durable US relationship while becoming stronger and addressing divergent views on Russia and China.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged the ongoing reduction in US contributions, urging European allies to accelerate efforts to fill capability gaps. Belgium responded by offering additional military assets, including F-16 fighter jets and MQ-9B drones.
The UK government, through Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis, supported the review and announced a £752 million military assistance package for Ukraine, including 150,000 drones and 350 air-defense missiles. European states collectively increased defense spending to €380 billion last year, as reported in the article.
