Pentagon chief says U.S. to review troop presence in Europe and reduce participation in NATO forces

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said during a meeting of NATO defense ministers that Europe should take responsibility for its own defense, while the United States will reassess its military presence in Europe over the next six months by conducting a corresponding review. The BBC reports that Hegseth also confirmed that the United States will reduce its participation in NATO Response Force units. The U.S. defense secretary once again stated that the United States wants Europe to invest more in its own defense and rely less on Americans. “Make no mistake, this will be a real review. It will be conducted in a way that allows Europe to play the leading role in assuming primary responsibility for its own defense,” Hegseth said.