US defense secretary urges European allies to lead in continental defense

ISTANBUL

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized Wednesday that while the US remains committed to NATO, Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defense.

"Rather, our relationship will prioritize empowering Europe to own responsibility for its own security," Hegseth said at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels.

He stressed that as the US shifts focus to Indo-Pacific threats, European allies must lead in their own security. "Together, we can establish a division of labor that maximizes our comparative advantages in Europe and the Pacific."

The defense secreatry praised Sweden’s $1.2 billion aid package to Ukraine and Poland’s 5% GDP defense spending as models for Europe but urged further commitments.

US focus on Indo-Pacific security with no plans to cut troops in Europe

Hegseth outlined shifting US strategic priorities, warning of threats from China and emphasizing deterrence.

"The United States faces consequential threats to our homeland. We must – and we are – focusing on security of our own borders. We also face a peer competitor in the Communist Chinese with the capability and intent to threaten our homeland and core national interests."

"The US is prioritizing deterring war with China in the Pacific, recognizing the reality of scarcity, and making the resourcing tradeoffs to ensure deterrence does not fail," he said. "Deterrence cannot fail, for all of our sakes."

Later during a media availability in Stuttgart on Wednesday, Hegseth assured that despite the shift there are no immediate plans to reduce US troops in Europe

"There are no plans right now in the making to cut anything," he said, while urging NATO allies to boost defense spending to 5% of GDP.

"The European continent deserves to be free from any aggression. But it ought to be those in the neighborhood investing the most."

The defense secretary signaled a shift in strategic priorities, underscoring the need to counter China's growing ambitions. "We need to make sure we're focused properly on the Communist Chinese and their ambitions in the Indo-Pacific," he said.

"We don’t want conflict with China. But peace through strength is how you deter that."

Shift towards European leadership

At the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, Hegseth called on Europe to take the lead in securing its region.

"Safeguarding European security must be an imperative for European members of NATO. Europe must provide the overwhelming share of future aid to Ukraine," he said.

He reinforced Trump’s call for increased defense spending, saying that "2% is not enough; President Trump has called for 5%, and I agree."

"President Trump looks forward to working together, to continuing this frank discussion amongst friends, and to achieve peace through strength – together," he added.