US ultimatum to Europe: Washington demands new defence commitments

The US ultimatum to Europe reshapes NATO’s future and raises pressure on EU allies

The US ultimatum to Europe on collective defence has opened a new chapter in the already tense transatlantic debate on military responsibilities. According to information disclosed by Reuters and reported by the Guardian, Pentagon officials directly involved in NATO policy have informed European representatives that the continent must assume the bulk of the Alliance’s conventional defence capabilities by 2027, from intelligence structures to missile systems.

Sources familiar with the discussions have stated that, should Europe fail to meet this deadline, the United States may withdraw from certain NATO defence-coordination mechanisms, signalling the most explicit warning delivered by Washington in years. Members of Congress on Capitol Hill are reportedly aware of—and concerned by—the tone and implications of the message sent by the Pentagon to its European allies.

European governments have been told that Washington remains dissatisfied with the pace at which Europe has strengthened its defence capacity since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite notable announcements and increased national spending, the United States believes progress falls short of what the current security environment demands.

NATO spending targets and doubts over feasibility

Among European officials, the US ultimatum to Europe has triggered scepticism over the feasibility of achieving such capabilities within the proposed timeframe. At a NATO summit held in The Hague in June, Alliance leaders agreed to increase defence spending up to 5% of GDP, marking a historic shift from previous commitments.

The long-term framework goes even further: by 2035, NATO members will be required to allocate at least 3.5% of GDP to defence, alongside 1.5% of GDP dedicated to protecting critical infrastructure and networks, enhancing civil preparedness and resilience, supporting innovation, and strengthening the defence industrial base.

For Washington, these commitments must translate into real capabilities—and quickly. The US ultimatum to Europe reflects a broader strategic recalibration in which the United States wants European allies to carry far more weight in protecting the continent, freeing up American resources for challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

As the debate intensifies, the coming months will reveal whether European governments can meet the expectations set by the US ultimatum to Europe, or whether NATO risks facing one of the most significant fractures in its modern history.

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