JAKARTA - Washington's demand that North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries in Europe increase defense spending is not because the United States (US) intends to abandon its alliance commitments, but rather to shift a larger portion of financial and military burdens to European countries.
"The US demand that NATO members in Europe increase defense spending is not new. Both Barack Obama and Joe Biden have previously made similar calls to European allies," a source in the diplomatic community and European expert told RIA Novosti, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, July 6.
"At the moment, what is happening is not a full withdrawal of the US from Europe, but a desire to shift some of the tasks and responsibilities to European countries," the source added.
According to him, the US does not intend to completely leave Europe, but gradually reduce its military presence as it faces domestic economic challenges and the need to focus on efforts to curb China's influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
"The US does not want to completely abandon Europe, but is trying to reduce its presence. The main reason is the economic difficulties that the United States has been facing for years so that its resources are no longer as large as before," the source said.
"In addition, Washington must also shift some of its forces to the Asia-Pacific region as part of the 'pivot to Asia' policy which began in the era of Barack Obama to face the rise of China," he said.
On the other hand, the source continued, NATO's policy of increasing military spending is increasingly less supported by the public in various European countries that are facing economic pressure.
"European governments justify the increase in military budgets by referring to the conflict in Ukraine and what they consider to be the increasing 'Russian threat', even going so far as to say that Russia wants to engage in a conflict with NATO. However, such policies are not very popular in European countries that are facing serious economic problems, high public debt, austerity policies, and a weakening middle class," he said.
He said various social and economic problems in the country were making it increasingly difficult for European governments to realize ambitious plans to increase defense budgets.
One of the main agendas at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkiye, on July 7-8, 2026, is expected to discuss the division of responsibilities within the alliance.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged European allies to shoulder a much bigger share of their own defense costs.
In recent years, the issue of burden sharing within NATO has remained one of the most important issues in relations between the United States and its allies in Europe.
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