European Nations Aim to Gradually Take Over NATO Defense Role from the US by 2035 – FT
According to a report from the Financial Times, European NATO members are developing a plan to gradually assume responsibility for their own defense, reducing reliance on the US over the next five to ten years. Sources revealed that countries like the UK, France, Germany, and those in the Nordic region are in discussions about a proposal to shift both the military and financial burdens of the alliance’s defense away from Washington.
This move is set against the backdrop of growing concerns among European NATO members that the US, under President Donald Trump, might retract its defense commitments or even pull out of the alliance entirely. The aim is to present the plan to the US ahead of NATO’s annual summit in The Hague this June, according to officials.
The plan is driven by fears that the US may scale back its involvement in NATO, particularly after Trump’s previous threats to withdraw from the organization. While the talks are being framed as a managed, long-term transition, some European officials have expressed doubts about the feasibility of the timeline, which they acknowledge is quite ambitious.
“We’re focusing on increasing spending: sharing the burden and reducing our dependence on the US,” one official said. “We’ve started discussions, but the task is so vast that many are feeling overwhelmed by its scale.”
EU Increases Defense Spending
The plan under consideration could involve EU nations committing to higher defense spending and strengthening their military capabilities, possibly persuading Trump to support a gradual transfer of responsibility, which would allow the US to focus more on Asia.
However, not all European countries are eager to support these discussions. Some fear that pushing for a shift in responsibility could hasten the US’s exit from NATO. Others are unsure whether Washington would agree to a structured transition, especially considering the unpredictable nature of the Trump administration.
Trump has previously insisted that NATO members increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP, a drastic rise from the alliance’s target of 2%. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has emphasized that Washington “will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship” with its allies, highlighting that the US will prioritize empowering Europe to take responsibility for its own security.
Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on the EU to form a “defense union.” Additionally, the EU has endorsed the ReArm Europe initiative, which aims to generate up to €800 billion ($875 billion) through debt and tax incentives to support the bloc’s military-industrial complex.
The Kremlin has strongly criticized these plans to increase military spending, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressing concerns that the buildup is aimed primarily at Russia and could undermine peace efforts in Ukraine.
Here are some sources that provide detailed information on European efforts to assume greater defense responsibilities within NATO:
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Financial Times: Reports that Europe's leading military powers, including the UK, France, Germany, and Nordic countries, are developing a plan to gradually take on more defense responsibilities from the U.S. over the next five to ten years. Financial Times
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Reuters: Covers the initiative by European military powers to create a 5-to-10-year plan to reduce U.S. involvement in NATO, aiming for a managed transition of defense responsibilities. Reuters+1Financial Times+1
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Politico: Discusses the EU's defense plan that excludes U.S. involvement in certain defense projects, aiming to bolster European defense capabilities.
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Chatham House: Analyzes the EU's defense strategy to enhance its defense industry, aiming to reduce dependence on U.S. defense systems. Chatham House
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Atlantic Council: Explores the EU's goal to increase intra-EU defense trade and reduce reliance on U.S. defense capabilities by 2030. Atlantic Council
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Bruegel: Provides estimates on the additional troops and defense spending Europe would need to deter aggression without U.S. support. Bruegel
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Wikipedia: Offers an overview of the ReArm Europe initiative, a strategic defense plan proposed to enhance the EU's military capabilities. Wikipedia
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Wikipedia: Discusses the 2020s European rearmament efforts, focusing on increased defense spending and reducing reliance on U.S. military support. Wikipedia
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Atlantic Council: Examines the EU's defense strategy to enhance its defense industry, aiming to reduce dependence on U.S. defense systems. Chatham House
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Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Explains the EU's new defense industrial strategy to increase European defense industrial readiness through collaborative investments. Carnegie Endowment
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