Pentagon chief announces review of US troops in Europe, blasts NATO allies

Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon review would examine whether European countries are moving fast enough to strengthen their own military capabilities and reduce their dependence on Washington.

In Short

• Review will assess European nations' military readiness and responsibility
• Hegseth criticises NATO allies for restricting US military access
• US signals shift to reduce military support in Europe amid tensions with China

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blasted NATO allies, announcing a six-month review of American forces in Europe on Thursday. He warned that future US military commitments would hinge on how quickly European nations assume bigger responsibility for their own defence.

Speaking at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Hegseth said the Pentagon review would examine whether European countries are moving fast enough to strengthen their own military capabilities and reduce their dependence on Washington.

"This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe," Hegseth told fellow defence ministers.

"It's a review that some countries will fail and others will pass with flying colours."

NATO ALLIES RATTLED BY US REVIEW

Hegseth's warning landed at a particularly delicate moment for NATO, where uncertainty over President Donald Trump's long-term commitment has already rattled allies. European capitals are spending months to recalibrate defence strategies as the Trump administration heads to a fundamental shift in the US security posture.

The message from Washington has become increasingly clear: Europe can no longer assume that the US will automatically shoulder the bulk of the continent's defence burden.

The review announcement deepened concerns among allies who had previously been assured that any future changes to US force deployments would be discussed and coordinated closely with NATO partners.

Hegseth reserved some of his sharpest criticism for NATO countries that declined to provide American forces access to bases and airspace during operations linked to Iran. Calling the restrictions "shameful," he argued that several allies had failed to support a key security partner during a critical military operation.

"These allies, they put America's sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk by denying them the predictable access, basing and overflight that never should have been in question at all," he said.

The Pentagon chief made clear that the six-month review would not focus solely on defence spending. It will also examine whether the United States can count on unrestricted access to European facilities and airspace when military operations require it.

PENTAGON CHIEF BLASTS EUROPE'S PRIORITIES

Hegseth widened the confrontation by attacking European migration policies and social agendas, echoing criticisms that have become a recurring theme within the Trump administration.

"Instead of tanks and fighters and air defenses, the focus has been on gender equity and climate change and defense austerity. Europe’s borders flew wide open, welfare states expanded, defense budgets cratered, along with Europe’s belief in itself and its civilization," Hegseth said.

European leaders strongly dispute that assessment. NATO countries across Europe and Canada have increased military spending since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Secretary-General Mark Rutte said allies spent an additional $90 billion on defence last year alone, marking a 20 percent increase from 2024 levels.

Many European governments have also tightened migration policies in recent years amid growing pressure at home.

Hegseth's appearance in Brussels was notable not only for its tone but also for its brevity. It was his first NATO meeting of the year after skipping February's ministerial gathering. He left before discussions concluded and departed hours before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived to lobby allies for additional military assistance.

Before leaving, Hegseth praised countries that pledged to raise defence spending but warned that several members still lagged behind.

"It was great to hear country after country say, 'We're going to meet our target. We're going to meet our target,'" he said.

"There are still a few outliers, and we will be clear with them as we do this review."

WASHINGTON REDEFINES ITS NATO ROLE

Behind the rhetoric lies a bigger transformation in America's approach to NATO.

Alliance military planners are already preparing for a future in which the US may contribute fewer military assets during a crisis. NATO's top military commanders are drawing up contingency plans after Washington signalled earlier this month that several high-value capabilities may no longer be automatically available.

The Trump administration argues that boiling tensions with China require the US to preserve more military resources for potential conflicts in the Indo-Pacific.

- Ends
With inputs from agencies