Reuters: US pushes Europe to assume majority of NATO defence

The United States has urged European allies to assume the bulk of NATO’s conventional defence responsibilities by 2027, a deadline that many in Europe view as unrealistic, according to multiple sources familiar with discussions held this week in Washington.

The message was delivered during a meeting between Pentagon officials responsible for NATO policy and several European diplomatic delegations, five sources, including one US official, told Reuters.

Pentagon officials reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Europe’s progress in strengthening its defence capabilities since Russia’s expanded invasion of Ukraine in 2022. They warned that if European allies fail to meet the 2027 target, the United States may withdraw from some NATO defence coordination mechanisms, according to the sources, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the discussions.

A US official said that some members of Congress are aware of — and concerned about — the Pentagon’s position. However, it remains unclear whether the 2027 timeline reflects the policy of the Trump administration or the views of specific defence officials, as debates continue in Washington over America’s future military role in Europe.

European officials pushed back on the proposed deadline, arguing that even with increased spending and political commitment, Europe cannot rapidly replace certain high-end US capabilities. They pointed to major production bottlenecks in the defence industry and long delivery times for advanced US-made weapons systems — many of which would take years to arrive if ordered today.

Moreover, several NATO members emphasised that some of Washington’s contributions, particularly in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, are not easily replicated or acquired on the open market. These assets have played a crucial role in supporting Ukraine since 2022.

Conventional defence in NATO refers to non-nuclear military capabilities, including personnel, equipment, and support systems. US officials offered no details on how they intend to measure Europe’s progress toward assuming the majority of this burden.

By Sabina Mammadli