The shy public consequence to Washington's firm speech shows that Europeans have inactive not found a way to deal with Trump's geopolitical orders.
"A city of fear and denial"
On Thursday 13 February, Hegseth stressed that the White home sees "China's communist ambitions" as a major global threat. It thus justified a simplification in American commitment to safety in Europe.
— For decades Europeans, as good vassals of the United States, have required any decent treatment, at least publicly, as if it were part of a feudal agreement. Trump doesn't buy it and put an end to these rituals. This is simply a violent awakening in today’s cruel world,” said 1 European authoritative who wanted to stay anonymous.
Hegseth's speeches at a gathering of defence ministers in Brussels caused a shock that revived allies within NATO. European countries have agreed to do more for their own safety — including spending much more money on armed forces.
The consequence to U.S. statements was subdued. NATO defence ministers utilized phrases specified as "United States is right".
— Most European countries inactive do not think in terms of the fresh Trump framework," said 1 European authoritative in a conversation with POLITICO.
He added that the "mix of fear and denial" prevails both with respect to the US's impact on the situation in Ukraine and on the safety of Europe as a whole.
"European countries must spend in defence of this continent against aggressor on this continent"
France, 1 of NATO's 3 atomic powers, alongside the United Kingdom and the United States, has late argued that Europeans must prepare for a script in which the US will retreat military resources and personnel from the continent.
However, in an interview with journalists after a two-day gathering in Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte tried to underestimate the concerns that the US could reduce its military presence in Europe.
“ Pete Hegseth said in Stuttgart that there are no plans to reduce military levels. At the same time, the United States has been rather annoyed for a long time that they spend more than European allies NATO and Canada, so we request to do more," he said.
When asked about American troops in Europe, Hegseth told journalists on Thursday that "we are not abandoning our allies in Europe".
— No decision was made on the level of the troops , this is simply a discussion that will be led by the commander-in-chief," he added, referring to the planned review of the global deployment of US troops.
Omar Havana / Stringer / Getty ImagesPete Hegseth
— But there is awareness that China's communist ambitions are a threat to free people all over the world. It makes quite a few sense... to take advantage of our comparative advantage, European countries must spend in defence of this continent against the aggressor on this continent," he added.
"China's deterrence is now Washington's top priority"
Hegseth said that the United States remains committed to the NATO common Assistance Clause, known as Article 5, but added that allies should respect little debated Article 3, which states that members must be "sufficiently prepared" to face the crisis.
Meanwhile, countries bordering Russia, which are most susceptible to the future attack from Moscow, hope that the United States will support them if Putin decides to attack NATO territory.
— We gotta take into account that this is simply a family," he told journalists before Thursday's gathering Estonian defence minister Hanno Pevkur, referring to NATO.
— My message will be very clear that in this household we stand side by side... protecting and defending ourselves," he said, stressing that Estonian soldiers are presently in Iraq with the Americans.
While Hegseth said China's deterrence is now Washington's top priority, Lithuanian defence minister Dovile Sakaliene argued that ‘Indo-Pacific and Europe are straight linked. China and Russia will coordinate their actions."
"US stopped pretending to see Europe as a crucial player"
After Trump's conversation with Putin put European allies into embarrassment and NATO ministers insisted that Ukraine be included in all peace talks, Rutte wanted to repel the thought that Europeans are being pushed to the sideline.
— We always knew we'd have a conversation soon. The teams consult each other,” he told the journalists. Rutte will meet with U.S. Vice president J.D. Vance this week and U.S. MP for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg at the Munich safety Conference.
The head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, struck a much sharper tone, condemning Trump's conversation with Putin as a "postpony" and saying that any agreement on the future of Ukraine that will be concluded without Europe's commitment would not be right.
However, it seems that Europeans have been sidelined. For example, Trump seemingly did not tell German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about his plans.
According to an EU authoritative who has been granted anonymity to be able to discuss this delicate subject freely, this week only shows to what degree the United States is presently ignoring Europe.
— The reason why European leaders are so hurt by Trump is that the US has stopped pretending to see Europe as a crucial player in geopolitical matters “The authoritative said.
