During his inaugural visit to NATO headquarters, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized the need for European allies to significantly increase their defense contributions, echoing a call to revitalize a "warrior ethos" across the alliance. Hegseth stressed that while NATO remains a powerful force, its continued success hinges on partners assuming greater responsibility for European security.
Hegseth urged NATO members to elevate defense spending to 5% of their GDP, a target previously championed by President Trump. He contrasted this with the current U.S. defense expenditure of 3.3% of GDP, amounting to $880 billion, and highlighted the disproportionate share shouldered by the U.S., which provides over half of NATO's funding.
Drawing a parallel to former President Eisenhower's concerns about European defense reliance on the U.S., Hegseth underscored the administration's commitment to strong alliances while remaining resolute against unfair burden-sharing. He emphasized the critical role of "hard power" in global affairs, stating that while values are important, tangible military strength is indispensable.
Hegseth’s visit coincided with ongoing negotiations involving the Trump administration, Russia, and Ukraine aimed at resolving the conflict. Recent high-level contacts include calls between President Trump and both Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy, as well as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's trip to Kyiv. Further discussions are scheduled, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to meet with President Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference.
These negotiations have drawn criticism, with some alleging pressure on Ukraine to make concessions, particularly following Hegseth's statement regarding the unlikelihood of Ukraine fully restoring its pre-war borders. Former Obama administration officials have voiced concerns, characterizing potential concessions as advantageous to Russia. However, Hegseth refuted these claims, asserting that President Trump is negotiating from a position of strength.
