The United States is piling on the pressure ahead of a NATO summit next month as it seeks to make sure that allies make good on a pledge made last year to massively ramp up defense spending.<\/p>\n
Hegseth said that from now on, Washington is paying its dues to cover NATO organizational running costs \u2014 roughly some $790 million in 2026 \u2014 would be \u201ccontingent\u201d on allies reaching spending targets.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere other allies do not spend with urgency, our dues contributions will go down,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\t The broadside from the US defense chief \u2014 who had initially signaled a conciliatory tone \u2014 will send a jolt through NATO allies concerned over US commitment to defending Europe.<\/p>\n US President Donald Trump had lashed out against European allies over their response to his war in Iran.<\/p>\n But there was hope the US peace deal with Tehran could help NATO put the bad blood behind it by the time alliance leaders meet in Turkey.<\/p>\n \u201cToo many allied capitals seem to still miss something in translation,\u201d Hegseth said.<\/p>\n Trump \u201cgave our allies a test to support America when we asked for their help, and too many failed it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \t Despite the tough language, Hegseth did acknowledge strides by many members of NATO to ramp up their defenses and said progress was being made.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of our allies have gotten the message and stepped up. You know who you are, and we very much appreciate it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n NATO chief Mark Rutte brushed off repeated questions over Hegseth\u2019s stinging criticism \u2014 and said that launching the review was \u201cprudent.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat he tried to do today is to keep the pressure on, and I think that\u2019s good. That\u2019s his role,\u201d Rutte said.<\/p>\n \u2018Max out\u2019<\/p>\n NATO will look to showcase increased expenditure by Europe to prove to Trump it is progressing on a pledge last year to reach five percent of GDP on defense-related spending.<\/p>\n Rutte said Europe and Canada had spent $90 billion extra compared to 2024.<\/p>\n Washington has been clear with Europe that it wants NATO allies on the continent to take over primary responsibility for their own conventional defense as US focus shifts towards China.<\/p>\n As part of that process, the Pentagon has already told allies it is reducing the number of assets worldwide that it makes available for NATO operations.<\/p>\n \t The US move has sparked fear it could leave Europe vulnerable in the face of an aggressive Russia as allies still rely on Washington for some key weaponry.<\/p>\n Rutte said that while the US reductions were \u201cimmediate,\u201d it didn\u2019t mean that Washington wouldn\u2019t be there if NATO faced an attack.<\/p>\n \u201cThen all allies, including the US, will max out what they can do to make sure we can fight the war,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u2018Need more time\u2019<\/p>\n US and German media reported that the cuts include a third of the 150 US F-16 and F-15 jets designated for NATO, plus refueling and reconnaissance aircraft, bombers and drones.<\/p>\n The reports said a submarine that can launch cruise missiles is also being taken out, along with one of two aircraft carrier groups.<\/p>\n \u201cBy and large, we\u2019ll be able to compensate for many things. But we need a bit more time, and that is the clear message,\u201d German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is difficult and dangerous for the security of NATO territory in Europe if capabilities are withdrawn very quickly without it being clear when they can be offset,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t The war with Iran has been draining for all of us in Israel. But when I heard about a high casualty incident \u2013 ballistic missile impacts in Arad and Dimona that left nearly 200 people wounded \u2013 I drank a cup of coffee, packed a bag, and headed south.<\/p>\n There, I spoke with Shilgit, the head of an after-school program for underprivileged youth. Standing outside her destroyed center, Shilgit said it was a miracle that no children were hurt and spoke about the community coming together in the hours since.<\/p>\n As a Times of Israel reporter, I\u2019m committed to telling stories of resilience like Shilgit\u2019s. But my colleagues and I can’t do this alone. If you value work like this, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. Your financial support is essential to keep real human reporting like this going.<\/p>\n \u2014 Stav Levaton, military reporter<\/p>\n \t\t\t
\t\t\t
\t\t\tAlready a member? Sign in to stop seeing this<\/a><\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t That\u2019s why we started the Times of Israel – to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.<\/p>\n So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven\u2019t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.<\/p>\n For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.<\/p>\n Thank you, \t\t\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/nato\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26169330852259-1-e1781795691802-640x400.jpg\")
<\/a>
\n\t\tFrom left, Germany\u2019s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Greece\u2019s Defense Minister Nikolaos Dendias, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Hungary\u2019s Defense Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Iceland\u2019s Defense Minister Katrin Gunnarsdottir, British Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis and Italy\u2019s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto during a group photo of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/nato\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26169016279094-e1781762715541-640x400.jpg\")
<\/a>
\n\t\tUS President Donald Trump gestures as he leaves the stage after a media conference at the end of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Vadim Ghirda)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/nato\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26169525322825-e1781796022128-640x400.jpg\")
<\/a>
\n\t\tNATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks after a meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo\/Virginia Mayo)<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tWe can’t do this work alone.\t\t\t<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/nato\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Untitled-design-4-200x200.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tYes, I’ll join\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tYes, I’ll join\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tYou’re a dedicated reader\t\t\t<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/nato\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/334x334-200x200.png\" "\\"\\"\/")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\tJoin Our Community\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n