During a meeting of a Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Belgium, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the need for European allies to take ownership of conventional security on the continent. Hegseth highlighted the shifting priorities of the U.S., focusing on deterring war with China in the Pacific due to the threat posed by the Communist Chinese. This strategic shift may lead to a drawdown of U.S. forces in Europe, although there are currently no active plans for such a move.
Hegseth stressed the importance of European allies leading from the front and establishing a division of labor that maximizes comparative advantages in Europe and the Pacific. While the U.S. remains committed to having a presence in Europe, Hegseth emphasized that European countries should not rely solely on American forces for their security.
