The American Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, confirmed Friday to European allies of NATO that they should learn to live with fewer American soldiers on their continent as the alliance prepares for the Ankara summit in July with Donald Trump.
M. Rubio confirmed to the press that there will indeed be, in the long term, fewer American troops, following a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, southern Sweden.
“None of this is surprising, even though I fully understand that it may create some nervousness among European allies,” he added.
He also announced that an adjustment should be announced “today or in the coming days” regarding what some in NATO call “the cavalry,” the pool of forces that can be mobilized within 180 days in case of need.
President Donald Trump once again surprised his European allies by announcing Thursday the dispatch of about 5000 additional soldiers to Poland, after announcing in early May the withdrawal of 5000 American soldiers from Germany.
This was not punitive, the American Secretary of State reassured.
It is a message intended for domestic US policy, according to the Belgian foreign minister.
Marco Rubio was extremely cordial and calm. I think there are messages he delivers that sometimes offend European allies, but they are more aimed at his domestic policy.”
Situation “confusing”
The current situation is rather “confusing,” judged the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maria Malmer Stenergard, host of the meeting, the first for her country, a NATO member since only 2024. “It’s not always easy to navigate through it,” she said.
European countries in NATO, while acknowledging the inevitable nature of an American disengagement in Europe, still want it to happen without too many surprises.
The American president has not cooled down since the Europeans refused to engage in the war he launched with Israel against Iran.
“The president’s positions reflect, in fact, a disappointment towards some of our NATO allies,” emphasized Marco Rubio, adding that a response would be necessary.
“Plan B”
He also mentioned the need for a “Plan B” if Iran persists in its refusal to unblock the Strait of Hormuz or in its desire to impose a toll. “I don’t know if it would necessarily be a NATO mission, but certainly countries in NATO will need to contribute,” he said.
However, the Europeans have not been inactive. “They have heard the message,” assured NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Warships have been pre-positioned near the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic shipping route through which a fifth of the world’s consumed oil passes in times of peace — as part of an international coalition set up by London and Paris, recalled M. Rutte.
The American president also demands that the Europeans take more responsibility for their security.
To better reassure the White House about their commitment to strengthening defense in their continent, they are preparing to announce a wave of arms contracts, including several with the United States, according to diplomats in Brussels.
But nothing should be revealed before the NATO summit in Ankara scheduled for July, with the hope that these agreements will satisfy Donald Trump, eagerly awaited by the Europeans in Turkey.
European allies will also try to confirm their support for Ukraine during this summit, which will be attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Mark Rutte had suggested that NATO countries, without the United States, commit to dedicating at least 0.25% of their gross domestic product (GDP) to military assistance for Ukraine. But this idea was rejected, he admitted.
