BRUSSELS - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commended NATO allies Thursday for increased defense expenditures but warned that some nations must still do more. Speaking ahead of talks with alliance defense ministers, Hegseth emphasized candid accountability among partners while maintaining a conciliatory tone before next month’s summit with President Donald Trump.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed staggering financial commitments, noting Europe and Canada will spend over $90 billion extra in 2025 compared to 2024. This represents a nearly 20 percent increase as the alliance strives to meet spending pledges. However, officials indicate Slovenia and the Czech Republic remain on track to miss the critical 2 percent GDP threshold this year.
Washington has signaled a strategic pivot toward China, requiring European allies to assume primary responsibility for conventional defense. Consequently, the Pentagon is reducing global assets available to NATO. Reports indicate cuts include one-third of designated F-16 and F-15 jets, refueling aircraft, bombers, drones, a cruise missile submarine, and an aircraft carrier group.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius cautioned that rapid capability withdrawals create security risks without clear offset timelines. While Rutte assured allies the U.S. would fully commit during an attack, he acknowledged the immediate nature of current reductions. Allies are now racing to compensate for these gaps while preparing to bolster support for Ukraine alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky.