In Brussels, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivers a critical message to NATO defence ministers, accusing member states of “free riding” and arguing that NATO is distracted by issues such as gender equality and climate change. Multiple outlets report that Hegseth also signals a review of the United States’ military presence in Europe, including plans that could affect troop levels over the next six months.
Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte responds by playing down the tone and substance of Hegseth’s remarks, according to reporting that focuses on how the comment fits within broader NATO and US planning discussions. At the same time, NATO leadership and other officials work to contain the fallout by emphasizing continuity in cooperation and by downplaying potential US cutbacks. The Associated Press and BBC reporting describe NATO’s approach as emphasizing operational readiness and contingency planning rather than treating Hegseth’s speech as a sudden break.
Overall, the dispute centres on burden-sharing and priorities within NATO, while the US review introduces uncertainty over timelines and scale of any adjustments to forces in Europe.
