NATO chief downplays US military cutbacks to alliance in case of wider conflict

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Wednesday downplayed the United States' warnings that it would further reduce its military contributions to the alliance, and said its top commander is creating backup plans to compensate for the gap. 

The U.S. signaled earlier this month that it would reduce the number of troops and military equipment it would provide its allies should they come under attack, including canceling plans to provide aircraft carriers and support ships.

Rutte emphasized that the U.S. is not actively withdrawing more troops from Europe and is rather changing its commitments to the organization and how it would respond if a larger war breaks out that impacts NATO allies.

“This is not about where forces and assets are currently located,” Rutte told the Associated Press. “It’s about who would do what if our defense plans were activated. So, let’s say in case of an Article 5 situation."

Rutte said NATO’s top commander, American Gen. Alex Grynkewich, believes that “there are largely capabilities available that other allies already have, or will have in the near future,” to fill the U.S. shortfall and that the "overall picture is looking good." 

The comments come after House Republicans released a draft of the annual National Defense Authorization Act on Tuesday, which would extend restrictions on a drawdown of U.S. forces from Europe and the Korean Peninsula.

The legislation maintains the base amount set by last year’s NDAA that requires the U.S. to keep 76,000 troops in Europe and 28,500 in Korea, according to The Hill. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.