European NATO allies are seeking urgent clarification from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over sudden changes in Washington’s troop deployment plans in Europe, as tensions grow within the alliance ahead of a key NATO summit in July.
Confusion spread among member states after foreign ministers gathered in Helsingborg, Sweden, on Friday, when US President Donald Trump unexpectedly announced the deployment of 5,000 additional troops to Poland. The move appeared to reverse an earlier decision by Washington to cancel the deployment.
While the announcement was welcomed by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and the Polish government, it also raised concerns among allies about inconsistent coordination and shifting US defence policy signals.
“It is confusing, and it is not always easy to understand the direction of policy,” Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard told AFP.
The announcement came just weeks after Washington abruptly confirmed the withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany, following a public dispute between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Rubio sought to ease concerns by insisting that changes to US force posture were “not punitive” and reflected the need for Washington to continuously reassess global military deployments based on strategic priorities.
Several NATO foreign ministers acknowledged that a gradual reduction of US forces in Europe had long been anticipated, as Washington shifts its focus toward other global threats while European allies increase their own defence capabilities.
“What matters is that this process is structured so that Europe can build its strength as the US reduces its presence,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said.
The NATO meeting in Sweden took place against a backdrop of heightened political friction after Trump repeatedly criticised European allies over their response to the Iran conflict and even suggested he might reconsider US membership in NATO.
Diplomats said the Helsingborg talks were intended to reset relations ahead of the Ankara summit, where allies hope to demonstrate stronger European defence spending commitments.
“Frankly, the president’s frustration with some NATO allies and their response to our operations in the Middle East is well documented, and it needs to be addressed,” Rubio said.
He added that the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara would likely be “one of the most significant meetings of leaders in NATO history.”
In an effort to ease tensions with Washington, several European countries have reportedly increased naval deployments closer to the Middle East following the Iran conflict, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
“Europeans have heard the message,” Rutte said.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, however, said he did not expect NATO to launch a dedicated mission in the region.
Since Trump returned to office last year, NATO has faced repeated internal strains, including disputes over Greenland and broader disagreements on alliance priorities.
The Iran conflict is now seen as another major issue threatening to overshadow the agenda of the Ankara summit, where NATO had hoped to focus on defence spending commitments and burden-sharing reforms.
Allies had previously aimed to demonstrate progress toward increasing defence spending to 5% of GDP, with discussions underway on coordinated weapons procurement packages designed to signal unity and deterrence strength to Washington.
Behind these efforts to reassure the US, European governments are increasingly accepting the need for greater strategic autonomy in security matters.
Led by Germany’s expanded military spending plans, European states are gradually taking on a larger share of defence responsibilities, though officials insist the focus remains on strengthening NATO rather than replacing it.
“When the US reassesses its level of engagement and presence in Europe within the alliance, it creates an opportunity for the ‘Europeanisation’ of NATO,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.
One of the clearest examples of shifting responsibilities is growing European involvement in support for Ukraine.
Rutte has urged allies to increase purchases of US weapons for Kyiv and previously suggested that European countries and Canada allocate 0.25% of GDP to Ukraine’s defence needs, although the proposal has already faced resistance.
Major economies such as France, Spain, and Italy have been criticised for contributing below their capacity, according to diplomatic sources.
“What I want to achieve is a more balanced burden-sharing,” Rutte said. “At the moment, only six or seven allies are doing most of the heavy lifting.”
