Hegseth Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to European Allies Amid Military Deployment Review
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Hegseth emphasized that the United States is not turning its back on its European allies.
“No decision has been made regarding troop levels in Europe. That is a determination for the commander in chief,” he stated, pointing to an upcoming review of U.S. military deployments worldwide.
However, he acknowledged the growing threat posed by China, saying, “The ambitions of Communist China are a danger to free societies everywhere. It makes strategic sense for European nations to invest in their own defense against potential regional aggressors, leveraging our comparative advantages.”
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte sought to reassure allies amid concerns that Washington could scale back its military footprint in Europe.
Hegseth reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to NATO’s Article 5, which mandates collective defense, but also stressed the importance of Article 3. This lesser-known provision requires member states to maintain sufficient defense capabilities to respond to crises.
Countries bordering Russia—those most vulnerable to potential aggression from Moscow—remain hopeful that the U.S. will stand by them should Putin threaten NATO territory.
“We must remember that this is a family,” said Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur on Thursday, emphasizing the solidarity within the NATO alliance.













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