The United States does not plan to leave NATO. However, it expects European allies to assume primary responsibility for the continent’s security.
US Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby stated this during a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Sky News reports.
USA revises global priorities
Colby emphasized that the period of the so-called “unipolar moment” after the end of the Cold War has ended. According to him, large-scale military power has returned to global politics. This forces Washington to adjust its strategic approaches.
The administration of Donald Trump focuses primarily on protecting US territory and interests in the Western Hemisphere. At the same time, American resources are increasingly directed toward the Indo-Pacific region.
Europe as the main deterrent force
The Pentagon says allies must prepare for simultaneous crises in different parts of the world. If US forces engage elsewhere, particularly in Asia, European countries will have to ensure the primary defense of their region.
Colby stressed that the Alliance must transform into a “NATO 3.0” format—a modern version of itself from the Cold War era. Real combat capability should become the key benchmark.
“This NATO 3.0 concept requires our allies to make much greater efforts to step up and assume primary responsibility for the conventional defense of Europe,” he said.
The official also positively assessed steps by allies to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. However, he emphasized that European leadership must be long-term and sustainable.
Context
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte previously warned that a possible escalation around Taiwan could prompt the United States to redeploy its main forces to Asia. In that case, European countries and Canada would have to confront Russian aggression independently or act with minimal support from Washington.
Thus, the Pentagon is effectively signaling a redistribution of responsibility within the Alliance, where Europe’s role in security is expected to increase significantly.
Previously, The Ukrainian Review reported that US President Donald Trump signed an executive order. Under it, priority in US arms sales will go to countries that spend more on defense and have strategic importance in their regions.
