The U.S. currently has 80,000 troops stationed in Europe, an increase of more than 25 percent since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Meanwhile, European NATO members and the U.K. collectively spend around $460 billion annually on defense, roughly half of the U.S. Pentagon’s budget.
During a visit to NATO this week, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that American troops remain in Europe “for now,” but he indicated that the long-term future—whether in five, 10, or 15 years—is still up for debate.
For many European officials, the message was clear. “The U.S. isn’t focused on Europe,” said a former NATO official, speaking anonymously. “Europe will soon realize, ‘We’re on our own.’”
These concerns dominated discussions at the Munich Security Conference, where diplomats, national leaders, and security officials engaged in urgent debates in hallways, bars, and coffee shops, all trying to decipher the mixed signals coming from the Trump administration.
The situation is pressing enough that French President Emmanuel Macron has called an emergency meeting of European leaders in Paris on Monday, signaling his intent to take the lead at a moment when the continent is seeking direction.
As NATO prepares for its annual summit in The Hague this summer, the alliance is working with its members to enhance a new rapid response force. The plan aims to deploy 100,000 troops within 10 days in response to a potential Russian attack, with up to 500,000 mobilized within six months—an operation that far exceeds what individual European powers like the U.K., France, or Germany could accomplish alone.
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