NATO chief says Europe must shoulder more security as US role wanes
A NATO commander warned that the United States is pulling back in Europe, leaving allies to assume greater responsibility while reaffirming the U.S. pledge to Article 5.
Speaking to the alliance, the NATO commander highlighted a shift in U.S. involvement, noting that European partners are increasingly taking on security duties while the United States maintains its firm promise under Article 5. He described one outlet threat environment as extensive, affecting all eastern-wing members. Danish military intelligence (FE) warned that Russia is set to intensify hybrid warfare in the coming months, but a direct invasion of a NATO state is deemed improbable.
Germany’s recent allegation of a Russian drone attempt on Leipzig/Halle airport prompted the EU to consider additional sanctions. Czech Security Information Service chief Michal Koudelka mentioned the possibility of a Russian attack within months, a view echoed by President Petr Pavel, who sees a direct strike as unlikely but warns of larger-scale hybrid assaults. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk added that Russia may use drones and missiles against nations supporting Ukraine to test the relevance of Article 5.
Why it matters
European security dynamics are changing as the U.S. scales back, raising the risk of Russian hybrid attacks across the continent.
How this story developed
- Sep 17 Slovak premier warns against NATO Article 5 dragging Slovakia into war
- Sep 21 Election commission chair Ella Pamfilova said preliminary results will be announced Monday at 11 hours (10 hours in Paris).
- Sep 21 Partial results show United Russia holding at least 338 of the 450 Duma seats.
- Sep 21 Czech President Petr Pavel’s war‑like comments sparked a rebuke from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
- Sep 21 The Quai d’Orsay condemns holding the vote in the occupied territories of Crimea and the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, calling it a violation of international law and the UN Charter and stating Fran
- Sep 23 A Russian army Mi-8 helicopter entered Polish airspace for about 42 seconds, penetrating roughly 300 metres past the border near Braniewo.
- Sep 24 Polish authorities have kept air‑defence systems on heightened alert.
- Sep 24 U.S. intelligence has warned that Russia could launch 600-km range drones from commercial vessels against targets in Spain, France and Italy.
- Sep 24 The briefing added that the drones may be catapulted from merchant ships 200‑300 km offshore.
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