US state secretary reaffirms commitment to NATO

Ahead of a significant NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reassured NATO allies that the US would remain committed to the alliance, despite growing concerns about potential troop reductions in Europe.

Rubio dismissed fears surrounding President Donald Trump’s stance on NATO, calling any such worries “hysteria,” Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

“President Trump's made clear he supports NATO. We're going to remain in NATO," Rubio stated, aiming to ease fears of a US pullback from the alliance. His comments came as NATO allies prepared for a critical ministerial meeting, during which the future of US military presence in Europe is expected to be a key topic of discussion.

Diplomats attending the meeting revealed that the US is pushing European nations to assume more responsibility for their own defense. Rubio, who is attending his first NATO foreign ministers' meeting, is expected to press for a shift in security responsibilities, urging Europeans to increase their defense spending to 5 per cent of GDP. This is part of the US’ broader strategy to reallocate military resources, particularly to the Indo-Pacific, as tensions with China and Russia grow.

NATO officials are aware that this shift is vital to maintaining US involvement in the alliance. Currently, about 100,000 US troops are stationed in Europe as part of NATO's defence infrastructure. However, European diplomats have suggested that this number could decrease by between 20,000 and 50,000, a shift that could significantly impact NATO's overall deterrence capability.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth recently warned that the US military presence in Europe should not be assumed to be permanent, signaling that changes are on the horizon. While no formal announcements have been made, European officials are concerned about learning of troop reductions through the media, stressing the need for transparency and direct communication from Washington.

One European diplomat expressed particular concern about potential reductions if they were tied to negotiations with Russia. They emphasized that such a shift, if not handled properly, could lead to confusion and destabilize the alliance.

Despite these concerns, NATO allies remain firm in their belief that US participation is essential for maintaining the alliance's strength, especially as challenges from Russia and China escalate. The message from European diplomats is clear: NATO must remain unified, with the US continuing its leadership role, while European nations step up to meet the defense and spending targets set by Washington.

As the ministerial meeting unfolds, the pressure will be on Europe to significantly boost its defense spending and capabilities to maintain NATO’s collective security and strengthen its strategic position.

By Vafa Guliyeva