US wants Europe to bear greater defence burden for NATO

The United States’ demand for European NATO members to increase defence spending is not seen as an intention to abandon its alliance commitments, but rather a move to shift a greater share of the financial and military burden onto European nations. A source from European diplomatic and expert circles told RIA Novosti that the US demand is not new, as both Barack Obama and Joe Biden previously issued similar calls to European allies.

The source explained that Washington does not intend to completely leave Europe but aims to gradually reduce its military presence due to domestic economic challenges and the strategic need to focus on countering China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region. This aligns with the ‘pivot to Asia’ policy initiated during the Obama era.

However, the push for increased military spending is facing growing public resistance in many European countries grappling with economic pressures. European governments justify larger defence budgets by citing the conflict in Ukraine and a perceived growing ‘Russian threat’, even suggesting Russia wants a conflict with NATO. Yet such policies are unpopular in nations dealing with serious economic problems, high public debt, austerity measures, and a weakening middle class. These domestic social and economic issues are making it increasingly difficult for European governments to realise ambitious plans to raise defence spending.

One of the main agenda items for the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on 7-8 July 2026, is expected to be the division of responsibilities within the alliance. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged European allies to shoulder a much larger share of their own defence costs, keeping the issue of burden-sharing a key point of contention in transatlantic relations.