WASHINGTON, June 10. /TASS/. Washington’s NATO allies should take primary responsibility for Europe’s conventional defense and deterrence of Russia, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said.
"President Trump and his administration have told our NATO allies that they must step up and take primary responsibility for Europe’s conventional defense - and we are already seeing progress," he said during hearings in the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. "Our strategy is one of common sense: our NATO allies have the economic strength to deter Russia, and our own resources are increasingly strained. As we shift our focus to the Pacific, we are counting on our NATO allies to devote more resources to defense to forge a strong shield of deterrence in Europe."
"Our NATO allies taking primary responsibility for Europe’[s conventional defense is vital and it is overdue," Hegseth continued. "Not just as a matter of fairness to American taxpayers who are tired of freeriding, but to ensure that NATO remains a strong and sustainable alliance, even as US forces prioritize defending our nation’s homeland and deterring China. This is how we can restore and sustain peace through strength in Europe for the coming generations."
