NATO Allies Shift Focus as US Steps Back/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ European NATO allies downplayed U.S. absences at high-level meetings. Defense leaders signaled Europe must shoulder more security responsibility. A new Arctic initiative aims to reinforce unity amid tensions.
Quick Look: NATO Adjusts to Reduced U.S. Engagement
- U.S. defense chief skips key NATO meeting
- Europe boosts military spending and Ukraine support
- Arctic Sentry initiative unveiled
- Questions linger over future U.S. troop presence
- NATO leaders emphasize “no-surprise” coordination
NATO Allies Pivot Toward Greater European Responsibility as Trump Administration Steps Back
BRUSSELS — European members of NATO signaled Thursday that they are prepared to take on a larger share of responsibility for defending the continent, even as signs mount that the Trump administration is stepping back from its traditional leadership role within the alliance.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not attend the defense ministers’ meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels. His absence followed Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision to skip a recent gathering of NATO foreign ministers — a rare double absence for senior U.S. officials at meetings of the North Atlantic Council, the alliance’s top decision-making body.
Instead, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby represented Washington.
Despite the optics, European officials publicly dismissed concerns of a weakening U.S. commitment.
“I’m not disappointed,” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, noting that ministers frequently juggle competing obligations. Icelandic Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir echoed that sentiment, calling the gathering productive despite the absence of top U.S. officials.
Europe Steps Forward on Defense
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago, European countries have pledged to strengthen their military capabilities. Germany, for example, committed 100 billion euros ($118 billion) to modernize its armed forces — a historic shift in policy.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged that Washington’s global priorities extend beyond Europe, particularly toward the Indo-Pacific.
“They have to take care of the whole world,” Rutte said of the United States, adding that Europe and Canada must now assume a greater share of NATO’s conventional defense burden while the U.S. continues to provide nuclear deterrence.
Still, unease persists. Allies remain uncertain whether additional U.S. troop withdrawals from Europe may be forthcoming. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans stressed the importance of transparency and avoiding unexpected policy shifts.
A Shift in Tone and Structure
The Trump administration has recalibrated its engagement with NATO over the past year. Military and financial aid to Ukraine approved under former President Joe Biden has slowed, and European allies are now largely purchasing U.S. weapons themselves for transfer to Kyiv.
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, once led by the Pentagon, is now chaired by the United Kingdom and Germany — another sign of shifting responsibility.
Speaking to defense ministers, Colby outlined what he described as “NATO 3.0,” a more balanced alliance in which Europe fields the majority of forces necessary to deter conventional aggression on the continent.
“The times are changing, and we must adapt,” Colby said.
Arctic Sentry and Greenland Tensions
The only formal initiative announced Thursday was “Arctic Sentry,” a NATO umbrella framework coordinating national exercises in the Arctic region. The move is partly intended to address U.S. security concerns in the high north and to counter Russian and Chinese activity.
The initiative also comes amid renewed controversy after President Donald Trump revived suggestions that the United States could seek to annex Greenland — an autonomous territory of Denmark and NATO member state.
Though largely a rebranding of existing exercises led by Denmark and Norway, Arctic Sentry aims to project unity within the alliance at a sensitive moment.
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker emphasized that collective security cannot depend solely on Washington. “We need capable allies that are ready and strong,” he said.
Balancing Unity and Independence
Sixteen former U.S. ambassadors and senior military officials who previously served at NATO issued a joint statement defending the alliance, warning that a diminished U.S. role would increase costs and risks rather than produce savings.
For now, European governments appear determined to avoid public discord. Their focus remains squarely on Russia’s war in Ukraine and strengthening Europe’s defensive posture — even if that means a more European-led NATO.
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