U.S. Official Urges Europe to Lead Its Own Defense at NATO Meeting in Brussels

Brussels, February 12, 2026 — In a pointed address to NATO defense ministers, U.S. Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby called on European allies to take primary responsibility for the continent’s conventional defense, signaling a significant rebalancing of burdens within the transatlantic alliance.

Standing in for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—who notably skipped the meeting—Colby delivered prepared remarks framing the shift as a pragmatic response to a more dangerous and multipolar world. “Europe must assume primary responsibility for its own conventional defence,” he stated. “This is not a matter of ideology or rhetorical flourish. It is a conclusion driven by strategic reality.”

The comments, released by the U.S. Department of War shortly after the closed-door session at NATO headquarters, emphasized that the alliance is entering what Colby described as “NATO 3.0”—a return to a more balanced structure reminiscent of its Cold War origins (“NATO 1.0”), but adapted to contemporary threats. He stressed that this evolution is essential for the alliance’s long-term credibility and sustainability.

Colby underscored that the United States remains fully committed to NATO and is not abandoning the pact. The U.S. will continue to provide its extended nuclear deterrent, participate in joint training, exercises, and planning, and stand ready to invoke Article 5 in the event of an attack on any ally. However, Washington intends to prioritize threats where “only American power can play a decisive role,” such as defending the U.S. homeland, interests in the Western Hemisphere, and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific—particularly against potential Chinese aggression.

“This is not a retreat from Europe,” Colby clarified. “There is nothing anti-European about this vision.” Instead, he advocated for “partnerships, not dependencies,” urging European nations to accelerate efforts on defense spending, military readiness, force structure, stockpiles, and industrial capacity. He acknowledged recent progress, including commitments from some allies to reach 3.5–5% of GDP in defense expenditures, but insisted that more urgent action is needed to match the realities of modern conflict.

The backdrop to Colby’s message is a world where “power politics has returned, and military force is again being employed at a large scale.” He warned of the risk of simultaneous conflicts across multiple theaters, making it unsustainable for the U.S. to serve as the primary conventional defender of Europe while addressing other global challenges.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed Colby’s participation, praising him as a “consistent force” for encouraging higher European defense spending and industrial production. Rutte appeared supportive of the push for greater European self-reliance, describing it as crucial amid U.S. priorities shifting elsewhere.

European reactions varied, with some allies viewing the remarks as blunt but realistic, while others expressed concern over the implications of a reduced U.S. conventional presence—currently around 85,000 troops in Europe. The speech aligns with longstanding U.S. calls for greater burden-sharing, amplified under the current administration.

As NATO defense ministers prepare for the upcoming Munich Security Conference, Colby’s address underscores a pivotal moment for the alliance: adapting to a post-unipolar era through shared strength and realism rather than reliance on American primacy.

The full prepared remarks are available on the U.S. Department of War website.