The United States announced a six-month review of its military presence and bases in Europe, describing it as a transition towards NATO 3.0.
US defence chief Pete Hegseth made the announcement in Brussels at the final NATO defence ministers' meeting before the Ankara summit.
He criticised allies that had not supported US operations against Iran and warned that some countries would fail while others passed with distinction.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte sought to reassure allies that the review would take place in close consultation with the alliance, rejecting interpretations that Washington intended to punish particular countries.
“We are intensifying our efforts to make NATO what it should always have been: a balanced alliance in which Europe takes the lead in its own defence — NATO 3.0,” Hegseth said.
“To achieve that goal, I am announcing today a six-month departmental review examining the United States' force posture and bases in Europe.”
The announcement formalised a strategy already signalled in February by senior defence official Elbridge Colby.
“Let us call it the NATO 3.0 review. It will be conducted with the US armed forces and US European Command.
“It will include consultations with Congress and our allies, but let there be no doubt: this is a full review,” Hegseth said.
A longer shift in US priorities
Trump has repeatedly demanded substantially higher European defence spending and made clear his wish to reduce the American share of Europe's defence burden as Washington focuses more on China and the Indo-Pacific.
In May, US officials had already told allies they were considering reducing the bombers, fighters, warships and other assets allocated to the alliance.
Trump has threatened troop withdrawals from Germany. Poland later came under scrutiny before Washington announced an additional 5,000 troops there.
NATO members have agreed to direct 5% of GDP towards defence and wider defence- and security-related expenditure by 2035.
Hegseth acknowledged that several countries were moving in that direction but said others still needed to do more.
“We will be honest about that, privately and publicly,” he said.
He presented the proposed $1.5 trillion US defence budget as a message to the world.
The investment was needed to maintain US capabilities and build an arsenal of freedom protecting America and its interests first, while also supporting NATO and allied strength, he argued.
Criticism over Iran
Hegseth indicated that assessment would go beyond defence-spending percentages.
“Too many of our allies said no, tried to drown us in endless legal debate or publicly criticised actions they themselves were unwilling or unable to undertake. It was shameful,” he said.
Rutte rejected suggestions that the review was intended to punish countries that had not backed Washington on Iran.
“I have heard nothing of that kind,” he told a press conference.
He argued that Hegseth's main message concerned higher spending and a greater share of collective-defence responsibility.
“I am glad he is doing that. We need to tell each other the truth,” Rutte said, describing NATO as undergoing the greatest transformation in its history.
He repeatedly highlighted substantial spending increases by European allies and Canada.
“What we see today is an additional $139 billion in defence expenditure from Europe and Canada. It is historic,” he said.
German concerns and consultation
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has repeatedly warned that any US force reduction or redeployment must avoid gaps in NATO's deterrent and defensive capacity.
Rutte said consultation would accompany the US review and argued the changes would make NATO's defence plans more realistic and ultimately stronger.
He also highlighted Germany as an ally responding to the new requirements through faster spending growth.
Rutte played down Hegseth's short attendance at the meeting.
The US official stayed around an hour and a half, leaving before the Ukraine session and Volodymyr Zelensky's participation.
“He was here for almost two hours, listened to the discussion and recognised many allies' contributions,” Rutte said.
