Top European officials affirm confidence in US commitment to NATO

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin has no reason to doubt that the United States will uphold its NATO obligations, despite recent critical statements from the American government.

Speaking at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Merz noted that the US national security strategy contains clear language confirming Washington’s commitment to the Alliance, Caliber.Az reports, citing The Guardian.

He emphasised that criticism from the US in certain areas does not call into question the core agreements and obligations within NATO. He also noted that European countries need to do more for their own security than before.

Rutte supported this view, stating that the US strategy clearly affirms Washington’s readiness to ensure European security. He added that European nations continue to strengthen their defence capabilities and contributions to collective security.

Merz also gets asked about the use of frozen assets to fund Ukraine and he praises the EU’s proposal on this, points to next week’s European Council summit as the key moment and signals once again Germany’s backing for the plan.

The recent US national security strategy has drawn criticism in Europe for framing NATO’s future in ways some see as questioning perpetual alliance expansion and urging European states to take more responsibility for their own defence.

American officials, including members of the administration, have publicly pushed Europe to lead on Ukraine’s defence funding and security guarantees, signalling a shift in burden-sharing expectations and reinforcing European concerns about long-term US engagement.

NATO alliances have been under strain as US leaders call for significantly higher European defence spending and set informal timelines for greater European responsibility, intensifying debates among member states about the transatlantic commitment.

By Jeyhun Aghazada