The US Ambassador to NATO calls for the modernization of military infrastructure to enable the rapid transfer of troops to the Alliance’s eastern flank

US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker called on Monday for the Alliance’s military infrastructure to be modernized to enable the rapid movement of forces and equipment from Western Europe to Eastern Europe, a region where a future conflict could break out. He made the statement at the Warsaw Security Forum, amid Washington’s reassessment of the US military presence in Europe.

Whitaker pointed to outdated bases, fuel supply chains and agreements on troop deployments as areas requiring attention. He did not announce a relocation or withdrawal of US forces, but stressed that Washington is reviewing its global commitments to avoid dispersing resources.

The ambassador called on European allies to strengthen their defense capabilities and honor their commitments on military spending. He also criticized the Czech Republic, whose defense spending is estimated at 1.8% of GDP, below NATO’s 2% threshold.

European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius supported reducing Europe’s dependence on the United States, while Polish officials insisted that NATO remain the primary guarantor of collective defense.