Europe plans to reduce reliance on US for NATO
European military leaders are planning to take on more responsibility for the continent's defense. They want to reduce their reliance on the United States, which has been a key player in NATO for almost 80 years. Countries like the UK, France, Germany, and several Nordic nations are talking informally about how to shift military and financial responsibilities from the US to Europe. This effort follows concerns raised by President Donald Trump about potentially reducing America's role in NATO. The goal is to have a clear plan ready before a NATO leaders' summit in The Hague in June. The proposal includes commitments to increase defense spending in European nations and build their military capabilities. This would aim to persuade Trump to agree to a gradual transition, allowing the US to focus more on Asia. Currently, the US spends more on defense than all NATO countries combined, providing essential military capabilities, along with nuclear deterrents and stationed troops in Europe. To fully replace US functions, European nations would need five to ten years of increased spending, according to officials. There is apprehension among European countries about whether the US will remain committed to NATO. Although US diplomats have reassured them of this commitment, many capitals are still uneasy about the potential for a rapid disengagement by the US. Some officials express skepticism about the talks for shifting responsibilities, noting uncertainty about whether the US would agree to a structured plan. They point out that countries like France and the UK are already working together to support Ukraine without US involvement, indicating a move toward more independent European defense. NATO officials believe that maintaining the alliance is easier than starting a new defense structure from scratch. They emphasize that even without US involvement, NATO offers a framework for security cooperation in Europe, relying on the existing member states for defense.