Trump administration to reduce forces available to NATO for Europe - Reuters
Kyiv • UNN
The US will reduce military aid to European NATO allies in the event of a crisis. Washington wants to shift the responsibility for security onto Europe.
The administration of US President Donald Trump plans to inform NATO allies this week that it will reduce the pool of military capabilities that the US would have at its disposal to assist the alliance's European countries in the event of a major crisis, citing three sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reports, according to UNN.
Details
Under a framework known as the NATO Force Model, alliance member countries identify a pool of available forces that can be deployed during a conflict or any other major crisis, such as a military attack on a NATO member.
While the exact composition of these military forces is a closely guarded secret, the Pentagon has decided to significantly reduce its commitments, sources said.
US President Donald Trump has made it clear that he expects European countries to take over primary responsibility for the continent's security from the US. The message to allies this week is a concrete sign of the implementation of this policy, the publication writes.
Several details remained unclear, such as how quickly the Pentagon plans to shift responsibility for crisis management to European allies. Sources, however, said the Pentagon plans to announce its intention to reduce its commitments at a meeting of defense policy chiefs in Brussels on Friday.
Pentagon defense policy chief Elbridge Colby has publicly stated that the United States will continue to use its nuclear weapons to protect NATO members, even as European allies take the lead on conventional forces.
According to sources, the US is likely to be represented by Alex Velez-Green, a key aide to Colby. Adjusting the NATO Force Model has become a key priority for Colby's team ahead of the next NATO leaders' summit to be held in Turkey in July, one source added.
The NATO alliance is under unprecedented pressure, with some European countries concerned that Washington could withdraw its troops entirely. A significant adjustment to the forces the US would provide during a war will only heighten those fears, the publication notes.
Over the past few weeks, the Trump administration has announced plans to cut approximately 5,000 US troops from Europe, including a decision to cancel the deployment of an Army brigade to Poland—a surprise move that was criticized by US lawmakers.
NATO Commander Confirms Withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. Troops from Europe19.05.26, 20:00 • 14016 views
One source and another source familiar with the matter said that aides on Capitol Hill were aware of the Pentagon's plans to narrow its commitments under the NATO Force Model and were concerned about it.
A senior NATO diplomat, however, said they still believe there is an understanding that the United States would come to Europe's aid if it were in trouble.
Trump and many of his aides have criticized European allies for not spending enough on their militaries and relying on the US for defense, and they point out that the US still has tens of thousands of troops in Europe.
The US president's ambitions to take control of Greenland, a Danish overseas territory, have further fueled transatlantic tensions, as has the ongoing dispute between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has sharply criticized Trump's war with Iran.
European allies generally point out that they are rapidly building up their military capabilities, but that this cannot be done overnight.
Rubio heads to NATO meeting amid European anxiety over Trump's policies19.05.26, 21:47 • 3176 views