US Defense Secretary Hegseth Pledges Support, Urges NATO Allies to Increase Defense Spending

At a meeting with his NATO counterparts in Brussels, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the alliance while calling on member states to significantly increase their defense spending.

"NATO is a great alliance, the most successful defense alliance in history, but to be fit for the future, our partners need to do much more to defend Europe," Hegseth said after the meeting.

Echoing US President Donald Trump’s "Make America Great Again" slogan, Hegseth emphasized that Europe could not solely rely on the United States as a security guarantor and needed to assume greater responsibility for its own defense.

"We need to make NATO great again," Hegseth added.

The US administration believes strongly in alliances, Hegseth said, but President Trump will not allow "anyone to make Uncle Sam into Uncle Sap."

"We can talk about values all we want. Values are important, but you can’t shoot with values. You can’t shoot with flags, and you can’t shoot with speeches," Hegseth said. There is no substitute for "hard power" – military strength.

However, Hegseth stressed that the parameters he outlined for a possible peace deal in the Ukraine war should not be taken as definitive. President Trump has the final word for the US side in the negotiations to end the Russian invasion, Hegseth said.

Trump alone will decide on the terms for the US, the Pentagon chief asserted. "Nothing I am saying here should be…construed as in any way limiting the latitude of the commander-in-chief in his negotiations," Hegseth said. "He has all the cards in his hand."

Asked whether he could guarantee that Ukraine would not be forced to accept a deal it found unacceptable, Hegseth replied, "That’s not ultimately my call." The president is leading the negotiations and talking to both sides. "Nobody is going to get everything they want."

Hegseth said he could only speak to what is realistic or likely. And it is simply realism to acknowledge that Ukraine’s borders cannot be reset to 2014 lines. This is not a concession to Russia but a recognition of reality.

Expansion of US Military Presence in Europe

In addition to urging increased defense spending, Hegseth announced plans to expand the US military presence in Europe. The US will deploy an additional armored brigade to Germany and establish a new forward operating base in Poland, he said. These moves are intended to deter Russian aggression and reassure NATO allies.

Trump’s Role in the Peace Process

Hegseth’s comments underscore President Trump’s personal involvement in the Ukraine peace process. The president has held direct talks with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump’s approach has been characterized by pragmatism and a willingness to consider creative solutions. He has spoken of the need for a "face-saving" deal for Putin that would allow him to withdraw from Ukraine without losing face.

Challenges to NATO Unity

Hegseth’s call for increased defense spending may face resistance from some NATO allies, who have been reluctant to commit to higher military budgets. There are also concerns about the implications of Trump’s foreign policy for NATO unity, given his previous criticism of the alliance.

However, Hegseth expressed confidence that the alliance remains strong and committed to its collective defense.