Mini -Revision Window Next, already, Autumn (!) Of Expenditure Objectives defense of NATO agreed at its last summit (24-25 June 2025) see diplomatic circles in Berlin.
And in the same months, during which the EU should lock the new budgets of its members with a key focus on increasing their defense spending in accordance with those agreed at the meeting, and Trump will also decide on the final contributors to the EU duties.
It is recalled that at this meeting, less than a month ago, NATO member states agreed to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP by 2035.
Indeed, Germany, “first and best”, has undertaken to run this target with a first milestone in 2029, according to the deadline the deadline set by NATO itself for all its members.
However, in Berlin before even the first orders for the supply of new defense systems are signed, there are concerns that the bar of the necessary costs of European countries, along with Germany, are concerned, with the landmark of publication of the infamous new ‘Global Posture Review) On the US side.
Concerns about US pressures for even greater or at least faster (Mertz himself had spoken of a milestone “no later than 2029” and not in 2029) – in relation to the one agreed at the NATO Summit – are very strongly imprinted in a study published on July 11th. Updated about the trends that are being developed inside German diplomacy, where it is reported that “The US commitment to the obligation of mutual assistance under Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, the European promise for increased defense spending and, above all, the establishment of specific military capacity objectives – all this is good news for the alliance.”
“Nevertheless”emphasize from SWP “It remains doubtful whether the acceptance of a high expenditure target will be sufficient to keep the US in Europe, at least for a transitional phase.”
In other words, in Berlin, they are afraid that even 5% may not be enough for Americans to stay in Europe.
Newsit.gr is reminded of this point in the international press that information has been complete clearly, according to the information, according to information, according to with which 5% presupposes the US military presence at the existing level and not its decline.
A possible decrease would require an increase in European countries’ defense spending over… 5%.
“Mixed messages from Washington are still taking on it,” the Germans note.
Global Posture Review – a revision of America’s military presence – is expected to be released in the US this fall.
This overview is carried out every 4 years by the US Department of Defense. The latter was done in 2021, under Biden. That of the autumn of 2025, will be the first in the second Trump governance.
Whether the Germans’ fears are based – in addition to 5% – in NATO member defense costs, is shown by a recent analysis of the valid American Think Tank, “Defense Priorities” in view of the publication of the US “Overview” in 2 – 3 months from today.
What does it conclude in its conclusion published on July 9, 2025 in relation to the European part?
First of all defense priorities suggests clearly ‘Cuts in US position in Europe’ And specifically:
- «Removing three terrestrial battlefields, an Aviation Brigade, a Headquarters Unit and the scheduled development of the MDTF (Multi-Domain Task Force). “
- “Reduction of US air and naval power in the region by about 50%”.
“Together, these changes would reduce the total US footprint in Europe by 40-50% over a four-year period and will return to the US to a large extent before 2014.”according to Defense Priorities.
The same think tank points out that “adaptations” it proposes “will achieve significant weight shift to the allies, maintain basic means of information and power promotion, rearrange high demand capabilities that are likely to be needed in Asia or for the defense of the country, and will better align the US in Europe and the US. US interests.
Scheduled cuts could be made gradually, with some land and aviation units leaving immediately and others withdrawing later based on an agreed timetable.
However, the United States should not wait until Europe is able to replace US capabilities before making the changes described here, “concludes Defense Priorities.