BERLIN, Germany, May 31 — The United States is planning to reduce its military engagement in Europe more quickly than previously anticipated, with the Pentagon expected to present concrete plans in the near future, according to a report by German media outlet Welt.
Citing a senior U.S. Department of Defense official, Welt reported that the proposed changes will be incorporated into the troop and capability commitments presented at the next NATO force-sourcing conference.
“These changes will be incorporated into our troop and capability offering at the next NATO force-sourcing conference,” the senior Defense Department representative told Welt.
The next conference is scheduled to take place in June.
At these regular meetings, military planners from NATO member states determine which forces and capabilities they can contribute to the alliance’s collective defense requirements.
“We want to provide the allies with the necessary information and clarity to advance the transition to a European defense, in which the allies assume primary responsibility for the conventional defense of Europe, as quickly and effectively as possible,” the Pentagon official added.
The reported shift aligns with demands repeatedly made by President Donald Trump during his first term, urging European NATO members to take greater responsibility for their own defense.
According to Welt, the policy was later formally incorporated into the administration’s National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy.
The Defense Department representative noted that President Trump retains the authority “to act in whatever way he deems appropriate in any situation.”
The official added that the Pentagon’s responsibility is “to plan proactively, in accordance with the National Defense Strategy, in case the U.S. is confronted with multiple conflicts simultaneously. Should we ultimately find ourselves in a less tense situation, this provides us with additional flexibility.”
A partial U.S. withdrawal could weaken the military foundation underpinning NATO’s collective security commitments, a development likely to raise concerns among alliance members, particularly the Baltic states.
While Germany and other European NATO allies have long expected a gradual reduction of the U.S. military role in Europe, Welt reported that officials in Berlin had anticipated a coordinated transition process.
The report suggested that the proposed reductions indicate Washington may not provide European allies with a lengthy adjustment period.
According to Welt, the central message behind the shift is that the United States can no longer serve as the sole major military power capable of managing multiple large-scale conflicts simultaneously.
The report added that Washington’s strategic focus has increasingly shifted toward China and the Indo-Pacific region, meaning Europe may be required to assume a greater share of responsibility for its own defense and deterrence posture against Russia.
Welt also reported that, based on information it obtained, concerns already exist within U.S. Army Europe regarding whether NATO currently possesses sufficient forces and capabilities to fully implement its regional defense plans.
The report noted that Russia could seek to challenge the alliance in areas where it holds geographic advantages and can rapidly deploy available forces. It added that any further reduction of U.S. capabilities within NATO planning structures could intensify those concerns. (ANI)
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