The US wants Europe to take over most of NATO's conventional defense capabilities — from intelligence systems to missile defense — by 2027, Pentagon officials revealed to diplomats in Washington this week. This tight time frame has made some European officials think it is unrealistic. According to five people familiar with the matter, including an American official, the information was conveyed at a Pentagon meeting between NATO policy officials and several European delegations held in Washington this week. A US official said that some members of Congress have noticed and are concerned about the Pentagon's statement about Europe. Conventional defense capabilities cover non-nuclear assets, from troops to weapons, but the US side has not specified how it will measure the progress of Europe assuming primary defense responsibilities. It is unclear whether the 2027 deadline represents the Trump administration's position or only reflects the views of some Pentagon officials. Washington has major differences over America's military role in Europe. Several European officials pointed out that no matter what metrics Washington adopts, the 2027 deadline is unrealistic, because Europe will not only require funding and political will to replace some of America's capabilities in the short term.

The US wants Europe to take over most of NATO's conventional defense capabilities — from intelligence systems to missile defense — by 2027, Pentagon officials revealed to diplomats in Washington this week. This tight time frame has made some European officials think it is unrealistic. According to five people familiar with the matter, including an American official, the information was conveyed at a Pentagon meeting between NATO policy officials and several European delegations held in Washington this week. A US official said that some members of Congress have noticed and are concerned about the Pentagon's statement about Europe. Conventional defense capabilities cover non-nuclear assets, from troops to weapons, but the US side has not specified how it will measure the progress of Europe assuming primary defense responsibilities. It is unclear whether the 2027 deadline represents the Trump administration's position or only reflects the views of some Pentagon officials. Washington has major differences over America's military role in Europe. Several European officials pointed out that no matter what metrics Washington adopts, the 2027 deadline is unrealistic, because Europe will not only require funding and political will to replace some of America's capabilities in the short term.