European allies developing 5-10 year strategy to replace US in NATO: Report

ISTANBUL

Europe's top military powers are developing a 5-10 year plan to take on more responsibility for the continent's defense, aiming to reduce dependence on the US in NATO, according to The Financial Times.

The talks seek to prevent disruption from a potential US exit, fueled by US President Donald Trump’s recurring threats to withdraw from the military alliance.

The UK, France, Germany, and the Nordic countries are reportedly part of the informal yet organized talks.

Their goal is to develop a plan to shift military and financial responsibilities to European capitals and present it to the US before NATO's leaders' summit in The Hague this June.

The US, which outspends all other NATO allies on defense, is key to European security, and the proposal seeks concrete commitments to boost European defense spending and military capabilities to persuade Trump to agree to a gradual handover, allowing the US to focus more on the Asia-Pacific.

The US contributes nuclear deterrence and military capabilities, operates bases, and stations 80,000 troops in Europe, supporting defense efforts with resources that continental allies lack.

It would take five to 10 years of increased spending to elevate European capabilities to a level capable of replacing most US roles, excluding the US nuclear deterrent, the Financial Times reported.

Europe on edge

“Increasing spending is the only play that we have: burden sharing and shifting the dial away from US reliance,” unnamed sources told the business daily. “We’re starting those talks but it’s such a big task that many are overwhelmed by the scale of it.”

Despite US diplomats reassuring Europe of Trump’s commitment to NATO and its cornerstone Article 5, many European capitals remain on edge, fearing a swift US pullback from troop deployments or shared NATO duties.

Some capitals hesitate to engage in talks, fearing it could push the US to act faster, while others doubt Trump’s commitment. “You need a deal with the Americans and it’s unclear if they will be willing to do it,” said one official in the report. “Can you even trust them to hold to it?”

During his first term in office, in 2017-2021, Trump urged European leaders to boost their defense spending, and reiterated this call last year following his election to a second term. He also voiced frequent disdain for NATO allies and hinted the US might not defend any countries which had spent too little, in his view, on their own defense.