US Withdraws Weapons from Europe: Trump Demands NATO's Own Arms, Cutting Aid by 30-50%
The US is withdrawing troops from Europe, demanding NATO allies find their own weapons. Trump plans to cut military aid by 30-50%. This issue will be discussed at NATO meetings on June 18 and in July.
UK Chief of Defence Staff Richard Knighton reported that the US is withdrawing its military forces and assets from Europe, demanding that European NATO allies urgently find their own weapons to close defense gaps. Donald Trump's administration has asked the UK and other Alliance members to identify and redirect existing resources to strengthen the bloc's capabilities.
Trump plans to cut military aid to Europe: a possible 30% reduction in strategic bombers, a complete withdrawal of American reconnaissance and attack drones, a 50% decrease in warships, and a third fewer fighter jets. These US demands and measures to find European weapons will be discussed by NATO defense ministers on June 18 in Brussels and at the Alliance leaders' summit in Ankara in July.
In May 2026, the Trump administration already announced a significant reduction in the US military presence in Europe as part of the «NATO 3.0» concept, redirecting resources to the Indo-Pacific region. In early June, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grinkevich, urged European countries and Canada to increase their air forces and warships. On June 11, UK Defence Secretary John Healey and his deputy Al Carns resigned amid disputes over army funding and NATO commitments.