Before his departure, Hegseth released a statement emphasizing the “urgent need” for NATO partners to assume “primary responsibility” for the conventional defense of Europe. The self-proclaimed “war minister” of the United States is making it clear that Europeans can count on less American support in the future.
European NATO members are now considering how to fill the gaps left by a gradual US withdrawal from the alliance. EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, in an interview with Spiegel, appeared almost desperate. He hopes for a change in mindset: EU states should set aside national egoisms and cooperate more closely on arms procurement. So far, this is “not going well at all,” the Lithuanian admitted, speaking of a “sad tradition” of failed armament projects.
Source: www.spiegel.de
