On October 15 in Brussels, a pivotal meeting was held between the defense ministers of NATO's 32 member states. For the first time in the Alliance’s 76-year history, the United States publicly declared its expectation that Europe should take the lead in NATO. This was stated by the US Secretary of Defense during his speech, emphasizing that America will continue to meet its obligations but expects other members to manage their own security.
The main message from the meeting was "peace comes through strength," echoing Donald Trump's strategy of "peace through strength," and drawing comparison with the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hopes for a similar resolution in Ukraine. The Secretary of Defense stressed that European countries must increase defense spending, purchase more weaponry—including American arms—and transform commitments into real capabilities for Ukraine.
The meeting highlighted new aid programs for Ukraine: the UK promised 100,000 new drones, the Netherlands allocated €90 million to develop drone production, Germany announced a €2 billion support package, and Northern European countries presented their own aid packages. However, France and the UK showed hesitance toward joining the system for acquiring critical arms for Ukraine, resulting in a 43% drop in total assistance, still falling short of Ukraine’s minimum needs.
Another key topic was Russia: the US warned of possible new tough sanctions and made clear that decisions about Tomahawk missile transfers would be taken solely in Washington. Trump increased political pressure on other allies, demanding higher defense spending, particularly from Spain, and even hinted at potential trade sanctions against countries not meeting requirements.
Trump also met with Argentina’s president, leading to a major economic aid agreement, while both leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine. Overall, the Brussels meeting marked a turning point: the US is publicly transferring leadership to Europe, Ukraine faces reduced aid, and partner demands are rising. Upcoming decisions on support and defense will greatly impact both Ukraine and the Alliance's future.
