USA countries were officially warned European Unionthat by 2027 Europe should take over the majority of conventional defense NATO on its own territory.
According to Reuters, US officials in Washington told European diplomats that Washington’s patience was running out and the progress made was considered insufficient.
Pentagon representatives recalled that warnings had been received since the beginning of the presidency Donald Trump. Now the position is formulated unambiguously: if European states do not have time to fulfill the requirements by 2027, the United States may cease participation in certain NATO coordination mechanisms.
The tone of official signals became noticeably harsher after the publication of the new National Security Strategieswhich announced a reorientation of US foreign policy towards the Western Hemisphere and a virtual return to Monroe Doctrine. This means a gradual reduction in the burden on US military forces in Europe.
US officials have said Europe must take over key elements of conventional forces, from intelligence and surveillance capabilities to missile systems and artillery. The messages were conveyed to European delegations during a meeting in Washington.
European representatives admitted that the timing is practically unrealistic. Even with a sharp increase in defense budgets, European armies will not have time to fill critical gaps in infrastructure, weapons production, air defense systems, cyber defense, drones and ammunition stocks.
Experts noted that “even the purchase of American systems will not speed up the process,” since many of the latest systems are delivered years after the conclusion of contracts. In addition, the United States provides critical tools that cannot simply be purchased: specialized intelligence, surveillance and analysis services that have become key to supporting Ukraine.
According to sources, the US Congress is already familiar with the new approach and expresses concern about its consequences, but does not specify the criteria by which European progress will be measured.
NATO confirms that European states have begun to take on a greater share of responsibility. An Alliance spokesman said: “Allies recognized the need to increase investment in defense and strengthen the European burden”, but declined to comment on the 2027 deadline.
At the same time Pentagon And White House Avoid open comments. European countries have publicly agreed to increased defense spending, but recognize that to achieve full self-reliance by 2030, large technology and production gaps must be closed.
At a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated that Washington’s approach remains unchanged: “NATO allies must take responsibility for Europe’s defense. Every US administration has said this throughout my lifetime, but the current government really means it.“
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