Brussels: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday praised progress by NATO allies in meeting their defense spending promises but said some must “do more” as he struck a conciliatory tone at an alliance meeting.
“Many countries are moving forward, some still need to do more, and we will be candid about that, both privately and publicly,” Hegseth said ahead of talks with NATO defense ministers in Brussels.
“I think that’s important: for friends to be honest with their friends.”
The warm tone is likely to reassure Washington’s allies ahead of a summit with US President Donald Trump next month, after the mercurial leader lashed out at Europe over its response to his war with Iran.
NATO will seek to show Europe’s increased spending to show Trump that it is making progress on its promise last year to reach 5% of GDP in defense-related spending.
“When it comes to spending, what we are seeing is staggering amounts of money coming in,” said NATO chief Mark Rutte.
“Europe and Canada will spend more than $90 billion more in 2025 compared to 2024, representing almost a 20% increase in defense spending.”
Despite the alliance’s positive turn, a NATO official said three European countries, including Slovenia and the Czech Republic, are currently on track to miss a crucial 2% threshold this year.
Washington has been clear with Europe that it wants NATO allies on the continent to take primary responsibility for their own conventional defense as the United States focuses on China.
As part of that process, the Pentagon has told allies that it is reducing the number of assets around the world that it makes available to NATO.
The US move has raised fears that it could leave Europe vulnerable to an aggressive Russia as allies still rely on Washington for some key weapons.
Rutte said that while the US reductions were “immediate”, that did not mean Washington would not be there if NATO faced an attack.
“Then all allies, including the United States, will maximize what they can do to make sure we can fight the war,” he said.
‘We need more time’
American and German media reported that the cuts include a third of the 150 American F-16 and F-15 aircraft designated for NATO, plus refueling and reconnaissance aircraft, bombers and drones.
Reports say that a submarine that can launch cruise missiles is also being eliminated, along with one of the two aircraft carrier groups.
“Overall, we will be able to compensate for many things. But we need a little more time, and that is the clear message,” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
“It 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 compensated.”
As NATO focuses on its own security, allies will also hold talks to bolster support for Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky will join a meeting of kyiv’s military supporters at NATO later in the day before addressing a summit of EU leaders.
Ukraine hopes to build on the momentum of a positive meeting between Zelensky and Trump at the G7 in Evian to secure more support in its fight with Russia.
