NATO Allies Steel Themselves as US Senator Marco Rubio Delivers Tough Messages

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1Caz38" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1Caz38.jpg"/> <p> NATO partners are preparing for significant 'rebalancing' in their role to safeguard Europe, yet according to diplomats speaking to DIwida.Blog just before an important gathering in Brussels, this shift in responsibilities is vital to ensure continued American participation in the alliance. </p> <p> US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Brussels on Thursday and Friday attending his first meeting of NATO foreign affairs ministers where he’s expected to hammer home US demands that the burden of security and defence of the alliance has ‘shifted’ to Europeans. </p> <p> However, Europe will also send this message to him: attempting to act independently without the backing of its 31 allies is not advisable. </p> <p> The message from Rubio will be straightforward: Europeans must assume greater responsibility for their own conventional defense so that America can deploy its military resources elsewhere. Additionally, they aim for European countries to increase their defense spending to 5%. A senior NATO official familiar with the matter shared this information with DIwida.Blog. </p> <p> "To maintain America’s position within the alliance, burden shifting must occur," the official stated. </p> <p> The allies are preparing for a reduction in the number of U.S. troops deployed across Europe as part of their NATO commitments. </p> <p> At present, approximately 100,000 troops are safeguarding NATO territories, and member nations are contemplating whether the US might decrease these numbers by roughly 20,000 to 50,000 soldiers. </p> <p> The US has provided no official sign of this, but Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned last month that "one cannot assume America's presence will endure indefinitely." </p> <p> "We require American forces in Europe – currently at 100,000 troops, yet I believe this figure will diminish; having just half of them would suffice," stated a diplomat before today’s summit. </p> <p> The impact of the US unwinding its presence after years of engagement would be severe but allies also say that if and when an announcement comes, they expect to be fully informed directly, and not find out from the media. </p> <p> Moreover, a European diplomat has told DIwida.Blogthat it would be "hard to digest" if an announcement emerged from US talks with Russia. </p> <p> "If they do it, then the US scale back in an orderly way – we don’t want to read in the press that they’re pulling out, we need a process," the diplomat said, adding: "And It would be very dramatic if it was a result of negotiations with Moscow – that would be hard to digest." </p> <p> Despite recent confrontations from the Trump administration towards Europe, NATO allies said US membership and commitment is indispensable for NATO deterrence. </p> <p> "But we will have to drastically step up," said the diplomat. </p> <p> Although Rubio intends to present a clear message to the Europeans, the foreign affairs ministers plan to inform him that the perceived shift of US focus away from its customary allies may not be advantageous as the country redirects its attention towards addressing challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. </p> <p> "We will inform him that now is not the appropriate time for going solo; the benefit of remaining aligned with Europe compared to leaning toward China and Russia is having 32 robust democracies supporting us; Europe purchases significantly from US corporations – our imports from America far exceed those from Europe," stated the diplomat. </p> <p> Various European diplomats have informed DIWIDA.Blog that they do not anticipate the threatening statements from the Trump administration about annexing Greenland—a self-governing part of Denmark—or incorporating Canada as the 51st U.S. state will be central topics of conversation. However, Secretary of State Rubio is scheduled to hold a one-on-one meeting with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. </p> <p> When faced with the requirements outlined by the Trump administration, which will also be supported by Rubio, Rutte informed reporters, “let’s take pleasure in the achievement of having collectively invested €700 billion euros since 2017.” </p> <p> President Trump and US Defense Secretary Hegseth have stated that NATO expenditure must significantly rise from 2% to 5% of GDP, placing considerable strain on member countries like Spain, Italy, and Belgium, all of which currently fall short of the current target. </p> <p> Europe must "evaluate precisely the objectives we aim to reach and identify the gaps present," he stated, further noting: "There is a requirement for enhanced long-range capabilities, improved air defense systems, and increased investment in our military forces." </p> <p> When examining the overall figure, one can deduce that allies will need to spend well over 3% to achieve those goals. </p>

NATO Allies Steel Themselves as US Senator Marco Rubio Delivers Tough Messages

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NATO partners are preparing for significant 'rebalancing' in their role to safeguard Europe, yet according to diplomats speaking to DIwida.Blog just before an important gathering in Brussels, this s…

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NATO Backtracks on Death of 4 U.S. Soldiers in Lithuania

<p> <strong> NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg initially stated that four U.S. service members died during a training operation. Nevertheless, NATO subsequently corrected this information, noting that the soldiers remain unaccounted for and their status continues to be uncertain. </strong> </p> <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BIsLe" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BIsLe.jpg"/> <p> On Wednesday, after reports emerged stating that four U.S. soldiers lost their lives during a training exercise near the Lithuanian-Belarusian border, NATO stated that these claims were unconfirmed. </p> <p> NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated on Wednesday that the four soldiers died "in an incident in Lithuania." Nevertheless, NATO subsequently mentioned that the US military had not verified any fatalities. </p> <p> NATO stated in an announcement made on X that the search continues. They expressed their regret over any misunderstandings regarding comments [Rutte] made earlier today. His reference was toward new information circulating but did not confirm the status of those who remain unaccounted for, as their situation remains uncertain. </p> <p> The U.S. military has verified that the vehicle carrying the soldiers was discovered underwater in a body of water; however, rescue operations are continuing. </p> <p> Earlier, Lithuania's military stated that they were looking for the soldiers, who were reported as missing on Tuesday afternoon. </p> <h3> Search ongoing </h3> <p> On Thursday, Lithuania’s Defense Ministry stated that a search was continuing and “every scenario is under consideration.” </p> <p> "Currently, there is no verified data, nor have any remains been discovered. Hence, it would be entirely inaccurate to assert that the soldiers are deceased," stated Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene. </p> <p> The US Army stated that the soldiers were engaged in "planned tactical exercises when the incident occurred." </p> <p> The four soldiers belonging to the 1st Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division were conducting exercises inside an armored Hercules vehicle that had been reclaimed. </p> <p> Both Lithuanian and international forces employed military helicopters in the hunt for the missing soldiers, receiving support from officials of the State Border Guard Service. </p> <p> Lieutenant General Charles Costanza, commanding officer of V Corps, stated, "I want to extend my personal gratitude to the Lithuanian military forces and emergency responders who promptly assisted us with our search efforts." </p> <p> Lithuania, which is part of both NATO and the EU, accommodates over 1,000 American soldiers who are deployed within its borders on a rotating schedule. </p> <p> <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/video/AA1zHwMV" data-reference="video"/> </p> <p> <i> Correction: A previous iteration of this piece mistakenly reported that the U.S. military had confirmed the deaths of American soldiers during training exercises in Lithuania. The update now includes NATO’s statement that the status of the individuals who went missing remains uncertain. We regret the mistake. </i> </p> <p> <i> Edited by: Wesley Rahn, Wesley Dockery </i> </p> <p> Author: Jon Shelton (alongside contributions from AP, AFP, dpa, and Reuters) </p>

NATO Backtracks on Death of 4 U.S. Soldiers in Lithuania

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg initially stated that four U.S. service members died during a training operation. Nevertheless, NATO subsequently corrected this information, noting that t…

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NATO Chief in Warsaw Warns: Devastating Response Awaits If Russia Strikes Poland

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BK3B2" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BK3B2.jpg"/> <p> NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte cautioned on Wednesday that the organization’s reaction to an assault on Poland or other member states by Russia would be ‘catastrophic.’ </p> <p> During his one-day trip to Warsaw, Rutte issued this warning while calling for solidarity among European countries to enhance their military capabilities and defense sectors, echoing the U.S.'s push for Europe to shoulder more responsibility for its own security going forward. </p> <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/video/AA1BK1bA" data-reference="video"/> <p> Should someone mistakenly believe that they could assault Poland without repercussions or launch an attack against another ally, our alliance will react with strong force. </p> <p> "Our reaction will be overwhelming," Rutte stated, flanking Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a press conference. </p> <p> This should be evident to Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and to everyone considering an assault on us,” Rutte further stated. </p> <p> The warning from the NATO leader also comes at a time when confidence within the 32-member alliance has reached an all-time low, following the Trump administration's focus on prioritizing American security interests in Asia and along its own borders. </p> <p> Let me make myself perfectly clear: now is not the time for individual action. Neither Europe nor North America should act independently," Rutte stated during his address in Warsaw. "Given the magnitude of global security challenges, none of us can confront them alone. </p> <p> He commended Poland for being a dependable partner that significantly contributes to the collective finances. </p> <p> In turn, the Polish prime minister expressed gratitude to the NATO leader for supporting Operation Shield East, an initiative set forth from 2024 through 2028 aimed at bolstering Poland’s defenses against possible assaults and hybrid warfare threats. </p> <p> The initiative was launched within the Polish Ministry of National Defence due to Russian hostilities towards Ukraine and the escalating menace posed by Russia. </p> <p> "We assume complete responsibility for securing Poland's eastern frontier, not just for ourselves but also for our allies within Europe and NATO. It is crucial for me to receive a positive evaluation of this initiative from the Secretary General of NATO," Tusk stated. </p> <p> "The geographical features we possess are unique, as are our historical circumstances; regarding defense spending, we demonstrate a commitment unmatched by any other NATO nation at present," the leader of Poland’s administration further stated. </p> <p> Currently, Warsaw allocates over four percent of its GDP to defense, with projections for 2025 aiming to increase this figure to as much as five percent. </p>

NATO Chief in Warsaw Warns: Devastating Response Awaits If Russia Strikes Poland

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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte cautioned on Wednesday that the organization’s reaction to an assault on Poland or other member states by Russia would be ‘catastrophic.’ During his one-day trip t…

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