US threatens withdrawal from NATO if Europe doesn’t take defense lead by 2027 • FRANCE 24 English

The message is clear. Washington wants Europe to shoulder more of its own defense. A Reuters report says the Pentagon told European diplomats that nations have until 2027 to take over most of NATO’s defense capabilities. That’s everything from intelligence to missiles and troop deployments. Roles the US has dominated for decades. If they don’t, the US could decide to stop participating in some NATO defense coordination mechanisms. The Trump administration’s pressure on NATO allies is nothing new. In March, Trump had already questioned whether he’d defend countries that don’t spend enough. Well, I’ve said that to them. I said, “If you’re not going to pay, we’re not going to defend.” I said that seven years ago, and because of that, they paid hundreds of billions of dollars. I said, “If you’re not going to pay your bills, we’re not going to defend you.” The Pentagon staff who set the deadline haven’t laid out how the US would measure Europe’s progress. But European officials say 2027 is unrealistic. Even the EU’s own 2030 target for military self-reliance is seen as ambitious, and many key US capabilities can’t be replaced quickly. Washington’s relationship with NATO runs hot and cold. Back in June, Trump was applauding European leaders for backing a plan to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP. But in the months since, he’s shown a willingness to negotiate with Russia over the war in Ukraine. And his deputy secretary of state told NATO foreign ministers this week it was obvious Europe should take primary responsibility for its own security.

The United States is warning its NATO allies that Europe must take on more of its own defence, and fast. According to an exclusive Reuters report, the Pentagon has set an ambitious 2027 deadline for European nations to assume most of the alliance’s conventional military capabilities, a shift that could reshape the transatlantic relationship. If they fall short, Washington may scale back its role in NATO planning. Story by Camille Knight.
#NATO #Europe #USA

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34 comments

  3. Amazing how clueless the comments below are. You are so unaware of Europes lack of defense. America could crush all of EU and more in 2 days. Wake up.

  9. NATO Europe have been freeloaders taking advantage of the American taxpayer for years. ( It didn't used to be this way) But its time for America to cut the cord. NATO has become an American liability.

  14. Sure. Leave.

    Then wait for the greedy military-industrial complex to starting complaining because Europe no longer wants to do business with them.

    I’m American and I still want us to be part of NATO, and I’m pretty sure this motion is DOA.

  15. It's funny because in the past, USA has always been against Europe becoming less dependent on them militarily. Now they're threatening to leave. And I think we should let them. America is a nice ally to have on paper, but we do not need them nor can we trust them.

  17. The Ukraine war is ridiculous. Of course any person with common sense won't support it. Zelensky is shady and keeps asking for money and lives

  18. United States of Europe, good luck. The eu is such a success, I’d imagine your combined military should be a piece of cake.

  21. European anti-Americanism is so prevalent Online and in European media and Intelligentsia, it killed the Transatlantic partnership

  24. The Democratic Party needs to get its act together and keep Republicans out of the White House for the foreseeable future.

  27. Yes Europe since we have the most power we make the rules. You don’t want to follow our rules ? Then you don’t get our help. You either admit you need trump or you won’t get help at all and see where that leads you. 🤷🏽‍♂️ we have an ocean between us we don’t care.

  28. Why should everyone's defense have to rely on the United States? We pay taxes for every piece of military hardware we have. The opinion of most Americans is why are we spending all this money out of our pockets. America should leave NATO! Why should we protect countries that don't share the same values as America anymore?

  29. There's a point to be made though. Europe doesn’t do much militarily for itself despite that it's next to Russia. Why is that? European countries should be doing more for themselves.

  33. If they interfere and are no longer a democracy they will be removed from. NATO people lie they claim trump also tried pulling troops from Europe no Trump activated troops not to get involved but in case attacks come …

    Trump and Poland are the only NATO members doing anything people are complaining for nothing

Comments are closed.