During a recent meeting in Washington, Pentagon officials conveyed to European diplomats that the United States wants Europe to take over most of NATO's conventional defense capabilities, including intelligence and missiles, by 2027. This request was met with skepticism by European officials, who consider the deadline unrealistic, given the delays in military equipment production and the need to develop additional capabilities.
The U.S. has expressed dissatisfaction with Europe's progress in strengthening defense following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. If Europe does not meet the deadline, the U.S. may reduce its participation in coordinating NATO defense.
European officials also emphasize that, although they have agreed to take on more responsibility for security, the challenges remain significant. In the political context, relations between the U.S. and NATO are fluctuating, with the Trump administration having a variable approach to European contributions to defense.
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