Pentagon policy chief tells NATO allies U.S. wants European-led defense of continent

Pentagon official Elbridge Colby urged NATO allies on Thursday to clarify how they are stepping up efforts to shoulder greater responsibility for their own defense within Europe. Following President Donald Trump's administration's review of its forces in Europe, the US administration has expressed concerns about potentially reducing its presence on the continent. Colby visited NATO headquarters in Brussels to discuss the matter with allied representatives.

Washington has issued a questionnaire to European countries, asking them to demonstrate the progress they have made in taking the lead on safeguarding their continent. Colby stated that the US is actively engaging in a business-like conversation to determine the steps forward for collaboration in a world where Europe can assume primary responsibility for its own conventional defense.

The Pentagon chief emphasized the need to explore access, basing, and overflights, as well as other concerns that require further examination to ensure a coherent strategy moving forward. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg expressed confidence that allies are making progress in increasing defense spending and acquiring essential capabilities. However, Stoltenberg acknowledged that more work remains to be done.

President Trump has consistently called on Europe to invest more in defense as the US seeks to focus on other challenges, such as China. The Pentagon currently deploys around 80,000 troops in Europe and has announced plans to reduce the number of assets available for NATO's defense plans. Additionally, the US intends to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, although Trump later indicated that the same number would be sent to Poland.