And yet: US reductions in NATO take effect immediately - Rutte 0 12

US plans to reduce its military presence in Europe take effect immediately, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated before the meeting of alliance defense ministers in Brussels on Thursday, June 18. At the same time, he emphasized that Europeans need to increase their efforts to replenish military capabilities in the area of deterrence.

Rutte has repeatedly pointed out that these are reductions within the planning tool - NATO Force Model, while in the event of war, all allies, including the US, will make maximum military efforts. "If there is war, we will all push to the limits of our capabilities to ensure that we can wage war," he explained.

With the help of the so-called NATO Force Model, the alliance determines which member states should keep a certain number of forces and capabilities on standby and how quickly they should be available. Just the day before, Rutte confirmed that the US will maintain a smaller volume of military capabilities for deterrence and defense under NATO command.

Rutte on a stronger Europe in NATO

"All of this revolves around NATO 3.0. A stronger Europe in a stronger NATO that we are building," Rutte told reporters. According to him, European allies are already replenishing some capabilities or have nearly reached their goals, while in other areas, "additional work" is needed.

At the summit in The Hague in June 2025, NATO member states agreed to increase military spending to at least 3.5 percent of GDP by 2035, as well as to allocate an additional 1.5 percent of GDP for defense-related expenditures. Previously, the target was set at 2 percent.

Pentagon chief calls on allies for honesty

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth urged all NATO allies to meet the agreed defense spending goals. According to him, many countries are fulfilling commitments made at the NATO summit in The Hague, but "some have more to do, and we will speak about this openly."

Hegseth, in the presence of Rutte, stated that he believes "it is important for friends to be honest with each other." He emphasized the significance of further investments in the "defense industrial base" to protect "American interests," as well as the "strength of NATO and our allies."

Zelensky's participation in Ramstein

Defense ministers are preparing for a NATO summit in Brussels, which will take place in early July in Ankara. On the agenda are the reduction of US participation in the NATO Force Model, continued support for Ukraine, and other topics.

Before the meeting of defense ministers, Rutte announced the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine in the Ramstein format. According to the NATO Secretary General, Zelensky arrived in Belgium the day before. "Last night, I had the honor of hosting him," Rutte said.