European countries aim to take over US role in NATO by 2035, according to FT
NATO members in Europe are working on a strategy to gradually assume the role of their primary defense guarantor from the United States over the next five to ten years, as reported by the Financial Times on Thursday, citing unnamed sources....
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NATO members in Europe are working on a strategy to gradually assume the role of their primary defense guarantor from the United States over the next five to ten years, as reported by the Financial Times on Thursday, citing unnamed sources.
Discussions involving the UK, France, Germany, and Nordic nations center around a proposal aimed at shifting the military and financial responsibility of the bloc’s defense away from Washington. The goal is to finalize the plan for submission to the US prior to NATO’s annual summit in The Hague this June.
This initiative arises from growing concerns among European NATO members that the US, under President Donald Trump, may withdraw its defense commitments or exit the alliance altogether. While the talks are being positioned as a managed, long-term shift, European officials have recognized the five to ten-year timeframe as highly ambitious.
One official commented, “Increasing spending is the only play that we have: burden sharing and shifting the dial away from US reliance.” They added, “We’re starting those talks, but it’s such a big task that many are overwhelmed by the scale of it.”
The report outlines that the plan could encompass EU commitments to boost defense spending and enhance military capabilities, which might persuade Trump to consider a gradual transfer of responsibilities, enabling the US to focus on Asia.
However, some European nations are reportedly hesitant to engage in these discussions, fearing they could accelerate a US withdrawal. Others remain skeptical about Washington's willingness to agree to a structured transfer of responsibilities due to the “unpredictable nature” of the Trump administration.
Trump has called for NATO members to elevate their defense spending to 5% of GDP—more than double the alliance’s 2% target. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized that the country “will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship” with its allies and highlighted that Washington “will prioritize empowering Europe to own responsibility for its own security.”
In a related development, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently advocated for the establishment of a “defense union” in the EU. The bloc is also supporting a plan called ReArm Europe, which aims to mobilize up to €800 billion in debt and tax incentives for its military industrial sector.
Moscow has voiced strong opposition to the EU's plans to increase military spending, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov describing the buildup as “a matter of deep concern.” He contended that the actions “are primarily aimed at Russia” and threaten to undermine peace efforts with Ukraine.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
Discussions involving the UK, France, Germany, and Nordic nations center around a proposal aimed at shifting the military and financial responsibility of the bloc’s defense away from Washington. The goal is to finalize the plan for submission to the US prior to NATO’s annual summit in The Hague this June.
This initiative arises from growing concerns among European NATO members that the US, under President Donald Trump, may withdraw its defense commitments or exit the alliance altogether. While the talks are being positioned as a managed, long-term shift, European officials have recognized the five to ten-year timeframe as highly ambitious.
One official commented, “Increasing spending is the only play that we have: burden sharing and shifting the dial away from US reliance.” They added, “We’re starting those talks, but it’s such a big task that many are overwhelmed by the scale of it.”
The report outlines that the plan could encompass EU commitments to boost defense spending and enhance military capabilities, which might persuade Trump to consider a gradual transfer of responsibilities, enabling the US to focus on Asia.
However, some European nations are reportedly hesitant to engage in these discussions, fearing they could accelerate a US withdrawal. Others remain skeptical about Washington's willingness to agree to a structured transfer of responsibilities due to the “unpredictable nature” of the Trump administration.
Trump has called for NATO members to elevate their defense spending to 5% of GDP—more than double the alliance’s 2% target. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized that the country “will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship” with its allies and highlighted that Washington “will prioritize empowering Europe to own responsibility for its own security.”
In a related development, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently advocated for the establishment of a “defense union” in the EU. The bloc is also supporting a plan called ReArm Europe, which aims to mobilize up to €800 billion in debt and tax incentives for its military industrial sector.
Moscow has voiced strong opposition to the EU's plans to increase military spending, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov describing the buildup as “a matter of deep concern.” He contended that the actions “are primarily aimed at Russia” and threaten to undermine peace efforts with Ukraine.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
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