Anna Hartz
Europe Told to Spend More as U.S. Scales Back Defense Support
For decades, Europe has relied heavily on the United States for military support.
From training programs to large troop deployments, Washington has often shouldered the costs of keeping NATO’s eastern flank secure.
But that arrangement is now shifting, and European governments are being told to take on more of the burden.
A Phase Out
According to Digi24, the U.S. will phase out key security assistance programs for countries bordering Russia.
Pentagon officials informed European diplomats last week that funds used to train and equip Eastern European armies will no longer continue after existing money runs out.
These programs fall under a Pentagon authority known as Section 333. While funds already approved will last until September 2026, the Trump administration has not asked Congress for new funding.
Trump’s Politics
A White House official said the move fits with President Donald Trump’s order to reevaluate foreign aid.
It also aligns with his push for European nations to spend more on their own defense.
In June, NATO allies agreed under U.S. pressure to raise defense budgets to five percent of GDP.
Countries Bordering Russia Most Affected
Section 333 has supported armies around the world with a budget of over one billion dollars.
Between 2018 and 2022, Europe received about $1.6 billion from the program.
Almost a third of total spending went to countries like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. These nations, which border Russia, are among the most directly affected by the cuts.
Fears of Fund Replacement
European officials were caught off guard by the news. Diplomats from dozens of countries, even those that did not receive funds, attended the Pentagon briefing.
Some fear the loss of U.S. support could weaken NATO, since parts of the money were routed through the alliance.
Officials are now scrambling to determine if their governments can fill the gap or whether important projects will be left unfinished.
New Initiatives
The cuts do not affect the U.S. Foreign Military Financing Program, which helps countries buy major equipment like aircraft or tanks.
But another initiative, the Baltic Security Initiative created in 2020, could also be at risk.
Congress approved $288 million for it last year, but the White House has not requested new funds.
While shifting resources away from Europe, the Pentagon is focusing more on the Indo-Pacific to prepare for potential conflict with China.
