US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized on Wednesday that while the United States remains committed to NATO, European nations must take the lead in ensuring their own security.
Speaking at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels, Hegseth underscored the need for a “division of labor” between the US and Europe, allowing the US to focus on Indo-Pacific threats while European allies strengthen their defense capabilities. He praised Sweden’s $1.2 billion aid package to Ukraine and Poland’s commitment to spending 5% of its GDP on defense but urged further financial and strategic commitments from NATO members.
While acknowledging the shift in US strategic priorities, Hegseth reassured allies that there are no immediate plans to reduce American troop presence in Europe. Speaking in Stuttgart, he stressed the need for European NATO members to take the “overwhelming share” of future military aid to Ukraine.
He also echoed President Donald Trump’s call for increased defense spending, arguing that the current NATO benchmark of 2% of GDP is insufficient and advocating for a 5% target.
Hegseth highlighted the growing security challenge posed by China, emphasizing that the US must focus on deterring Beijing’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. “We don’t want conflict with China, but peace through strength is how you deter that,” he stated. His remarks signaled a fundamental shift in US defense strategy, reinforcing Trump’s vision of a more self-reliant Europe and a reallocation of American military priorities toward countering Chinese influence.
