In his statement to NATO allies on February 7, 2025, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Europe can no longer rely on the United States to defend itself against an attack from Russia. At a meeting held at NATO Headquarters in Brussels Ukraine Defense Contact Group Hegseth, speaking at the meeting, said that Europe must take more responsibility to support Ukraine and stand against Russia. Hegseth, emphasizing that the US has changed its security strategy, said that the country's priorities are now competition with China and the security of its internal borders. Hegseth's statements were perceived as a sign that the US is weakening its security guarantor in Europe.
The US's New Security Strategy and Europe's Rising Responsibility
The shift in the US security strategy has created uncertainty among NATO allies. Hegseth said that the focus of the country's global security strategy has shifted, saying that "the United States will not be the primary guarantor of security in Europe." The US needs to secure its own borders and Threats posed by increasing competition with China Hegseth stated that he had to resist after the war in Ukraine ended. US soldiers He also made it clear that they will not be deployed as a peacekeeping force to the region. This situation increases the need for European countries to strengthen their defenses.
Trump Administration's Defense Spending Demands and Concerns in Europe
Hegseth's statements, Donald Trump of the management NATO will further increase pressure on NATO member countries to increase their defense spending. The Trump administration is defense spending to 5% of GDP This has created a huge debate in European countries. European leaders are demanding that the US reduce its military commitments in Europe, focusing on the Asia-Pacific region. Russia's aggressive stance fears that it could leave the opposite continent defenseless. This situation creates the need to reexamine defense strategies in Europe.
Views of England and Denmark
After Hegseth's statements British Prime Minister Keir StarmerThe UK will continue to support Ukraine, Starmer said. This support is as strong today as it was when the war began. is of vital importance He also emphasized that, Danish intelligence service Russia could launch a full-scale war in Europe within the next five years, a report by the . This could reshape defence priorities and budgets in Europe.
US Future Plans for Ukraine
The change in the US approach towards Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Hegseth said the US should not consider Ukraine’s NATO membership strong security guarantees Arguing that these guarantees should be given Countries outside Europe and NATO In this context, it was stated that the deployment of US troops to Ukraine would be out of the question. Trump administration Details of his plan to end the war in Ukraine, Munich Security ConferenceIt is expected to be announced in . But Zelenskyy is concerned that Washington could draw up a peace plan without sufficient consultation with Ukraine.
The Need to Increase Europe's Defense Power
Hegseth's statements in Europe US security role has created serious uncertainty about the situation. NATO allies will have to consider how to strengthen their own defenses without Washington’s support. This situation calls for increased military spending in Europe and the need for new strategic partnerships. In particular, Russia's threat It is of great importance how Europe will develop a defense model in line with the changing strategy of the United States. This process may be a critical turning point for NATO and European countries.
