Despite that, European countries still count on the U.S. to provide the ultimate guarantee of their security.
“The transatlantic relation[ship], while indispensable, is changing in nature,” Czech President Petr Pavel said at the forum. But this “doesn’t mean [Europe] has to turn away from the U.S.”
Pavel, himself a former NATO general, added that “NATO remains the foundation of our collective defense.”
The U.S. drawdown is sending a signal to Europe, said Karel Řehk, the Czech Republic’s top general. “Europe must take over responsibility at least on conventional deterrence on itself, it’s a geopolitical reality. Let’s do our best to remain functional but not rely on the big brother.”
Finland, which only joined NATO in 2023, also insisted that the troop withdrawals aren’t a death blow to the alliance.
Trump “made it clear that he would like to see the U.S. having [fewer] boots on the ground in Europe … and we see some of that now,” said Janne Kuusela, permanent secretary at Finland’s defense ministry. “I don’t think that’s fatal for NATO’s defense. I think the more important issue is that the United States remains committed to the alliance.”