Sources indicate the magnitude of the undertaking is daunting.
European members of NATO are reportedly developing a strategy to gradually take over the role of primary defense provider from the United States within the next five to ten years, according to the Financial Times, which cited inside sources.
The UK, France, Germany, and the Nordic countries are reportedly discussing a plan to shift the financial and military responsibility for defending the alliance away from the U.S., four European officials with knowledge of the discussions told the Financial Times. The intention is to present this plan to the U.S. before the annual NATO summit in The Hague this June, the report suggests.
This initiative is driven by widespread concern among European NATO members that the U.S., particularly under President Donald Trump, might not honor its defense obligations or could potentially withdraw from the alliance. While these discussions are presented as a managed, long-term transition, European officials have conceded to the FT that achieving this transition in five to ten years seems overly optimistic.
“The only option we have is to increase spending: to share the burden and reduce reliance on the US,” one official told the FT. “We’re initiating these conversations, but many are overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the task.”
The proposal might involve EU countries committing to increased defense spending and boosting military capabilities. This, it is hoped, could persuade Trump to agree to a phased transfer of responsibilities, allowing the U.S. to focus on Asia, the report stated.
However, some European nations are reportedly hesitant to support these discussions, fearing it could accelerate a US departure. Others doubt whether Washington would agree to a structured handover, given the Trump administration’s perceived unpredictability.
Trump has been pushing NATO members to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP, which is more than double the alliance’s 2% target. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has stated that the US “will no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship” with its allies and that Washington “will prioritize empowering Europe to own responsibility for its own security.”
Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for the creation of an EU “defense union.” The EU is also supporting a plan called ReArm Europe, which aims to mobilize up to €800 billion ($875 billion) through debt and tax breaks for the bloc’s military-industrial sector.
Moscow has strongly criticized the EU’s plans to increase military spending. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the buildup as “a matter of deep concern,” insisting that these measures “are primarily aimed at Russia” and threaten to undermine peace efforts with Ukraine.
“`