Transatlantic tussle
Europe’s effort take on more responsibility for the continent’s deterrence and defense as the U.S. pivots to other priorities — dubbed burden-shifting — is also set to take center stage in the declaration.
Last week, U.S. defense chief Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of the American military presence in Europe in a bid to pressure countries to spend more on defense. The assessment came just weeks after Washington told its allies it would immediately be allocating less battlefield kit, such as aircraft, submarines and drones, to the pool of capabilities NATO can draw on in times of war.
In the draft statement, European allies pledge greater involvement in the continent’s defenses, specifically citing investment in deep strike capabilities, air defense systems and drones, said the diplomats.
Deep-strike capabilities — long-range missiles able to hit the enemy behind the front line — have become contentious between the U.S. and Europe. While the Europeans are keen to develop these capabilities in order to deter Russia, Washington is reluctant to let them operate such weapons. The Pentagon recently refused to send Tomahawk missiles to Germany, arguing Moscow could perceive the move as escalation.
NATO allies also seek to ease another key source of tension between Europe and Washington: the war in Iran. Although the U.S. has signed a preliminary agreement to end the conflict, European officials fear lingering issues, like reopening the Strait of Hormuz, could become a focal point of Ankara gathering.
In a move that will likely be seen as an olive branch to Trump despite a strong internal split over the war, in the draft statement the allies call on Iran to uphold freedom of navigation in the critical trade artery, the NATO diplomats said. The text also notes that Iran should never acquire a nuclear weapon, they added.