The United States has reportedly urged European nations to assume the bulk of NATO’s conventional defense responsibilities—including intelligence gathering, surveillance, and missile capabilities—by the year 2027. According to a Reuters report citing five sources, including one US official, the Pentagon has already conveyed this message to several Western diplomatic representatives.
This expectation has raised significant concern among European officials, many of whom view the deadline as “unrealistic” given the scale and complexity of shifting such critical defense functions away from the US.
Pentagon Communicates Message in Multiple High-Level Meetings
Reuters reports that officials at the Pentagon, who oversee NATO policy for Washington, delivered the ultimatum during a series of meetings with European delegations. The discussions emphasized that the continent must rapidly increase its defense capability to reduce its heavy dependence on the US.
If Europe fails to meet the proposed 2027 deadline, American officials reportedly warned that the US could withdraw from some of NATO’s key defense coordination mechanisms—an unprecedented shift that could fundamentally reshape the alliance.
Growing US Frustration Since the Ukraine War
According to sources, Washington believes that despite increased defense spending since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Europe is still far from meeting the necessary standards.
US officials conveyed that Europe needs to significantly accelerate defense readiness, arguing that current efforts are insufficient for the security environment facing the continent.
The message reflects a broader debate within the US policymaking community. Washington is increasingly questioning whether the US military should continue playing such a dominant role in European defense—especially at a time when American strategic priorities are shifting toward China and the Indo-Pacific region.
European Response: Deadline ‘Not Realistic’
Multiple European officials told Reuters that the timeline provided by Washington is nearly impossible to meet. They noted that replicating certain US capabilities would require not only massive investments and political commitment, but also many years of development.
Some of the capabilities the US currently provides to NATO are not easily replaceable with money alone. These include:
- Advanced intelligence-gathering networks
- High-level surveillance and reconnaissance assets
- Specialized missile and air-defense systems
- Strategic logistical support
Such capabilities have been crucial, especially during the Ukraine war, where US intelligence and surveillance played a decisive role in Kyiv’s defensive operations.
NATO’s Position: Europe Must Increase Its Defense Burden
When asked for comments, a NATO official told Reuters that European allies have indeed started taking on more responsibility for the continent’s security. However, the official did not directly address the suggested 2027 deadline.
The NATO representative added that European members understand the need for greater defense investment and for gradually shifting more conventional defense responsibilities from the US to Europe.
A Deepening Strategic Debate Inside Washington
Reuters noted that both the Pentagon and the White House declined to comment on the matter.
However, the report highlights growing divisions in Washington regarding America’s long-term military role in Europe. While some policymakers favor maintaining strong control over NATO operations, others argue that Europe must take greater responsibility—especially given rising global tensions elsewhere.
For many European capitals, the US message marks a serious warning: the longstanding assumption that Washington will always remain the backbone of NATO may no longer be guaranteed.
As geopolitics shift and American strategic priorities evolve, the coming years may see one of the most significant transformations in NATO’s history.
