NATO’s latest gathering in Brussels signaled what many are calling a defining moment for the alliance. US and European defence ministers appeared to agree that the bloc must evolve, with Europe taking on far greater responsibility for its own security. Yet while there was unity in tone, the motivations behind the shift may not be entirely the same on both sides of the Atlantic.
US Under Secretary of War Eldridge Colby described the moment as the dawn of “NATO 3.0,” arguing that European allies must assume primary responsibility for conventional defence on the continent. His message was clear: Europe should provide the majority of forces needed to deter or defeat aggression in its own backyard.
For Washington, the reasoning is straightforward. The United States wants to devote more attention and resources to other strategic priorities, particularly the Indo-Pacific. The push for greater burden-sharing within NATO has been a long-standing American demand.
A Shift in Tone — and Spending
European leaders, once hesitant about taking on a larger share of defence commitments, now appear more willing to step forward. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the meeting as one of the most pivotal in his experience, pointing to what he called a genuine change in mindset and a stronger European role within the alliance.
A key sign of that shift is money. Several countries — including Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland — are set to exceed the newly agreed target of spending 3.5% of GDP on defence, and they are doing so years ahead of schedule. The higher benchmark emerged after sustained pressure from US President Donald Trump, who had publicly questioned whether Washington would defend allies failing to meet spending expectations.
The debate over responsibility comes amid fresh tensions, including Trump’s recent remarks about Greenland and the broader Arctic region. NATO has responded by increasing vigilance in the Arctic while diplomatic talks continue between Denmark, Greenland and the United States.
Europe Steps Up — Cautiously
European defence ministers largely acknowledged that a rebalancing is inevitable. Germany’s Boris Pistorius said it is only natural for Europe to gradually take on more of the burden that the US has historically carried in conventional deterrence. France’s Catherine Vautrin echoed that view, stressing that Europeans have already begun strengthening the alliance’s “European pillar.”
Romania’s Radu-Dinel Miruță called for a significant boost in defence production across Europe, emphasizing that while cooperation with the US remains vital, Europe must ultimately be capable of protecting itself. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans highlighted the importance of transparency between allies, saying any American shift in focus must be matched by a coordinated European response.
In practice, some changes are already underway. The US has signaled it will not replace a rotating infantry brigade in Romania, hinting at a gradual drawdown. European nations have also taken on expanded leadership roles within NATO’s command structure.
Still, certain red lines remain. Rutte emphasized that while Europe assuming greater control of joint force commands is meaningful, it is crucial that the Supreme Allied Commander Europe — the official responsible for the alliance’s military planning — remains an American. That arrangement, he argued, guarantees a strong and lasting US presence in Europe and reflects the reality that the American economy accounts for more than half of NATO’s combined economic power.
As NATO looks ahead, the message from Brussels is clear: the alliance is entering a new phase. Whether driven by strategic necessity, political uncertainty, or shifting global priorities, Europe is preparing to carry more weight — even as it seeks to keep the transatlantic bond intact.
