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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin is ready to take on more responsibility within NATO, at a time when the US is gradually reducing its military presence in Europe. At the same time, the Pentagon has suspended the deployment of a 4,000-strong US brigade to Poland...
Germany has officially signaled that it is ready to take a greater leadership role within NATO, as the alliance faces the gradual reduction of American military commitment in Europe.
"Germany is assuming its leading responsibilities. The more European capabilities grow, the more the tasks within the Alliance must change," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul declared, according to the German agency DPA.
He stressed that the objective is a new burden-sharing within NATO, to reflect the economic and military potential of Germany and all of Europe.
Wadephul's statements come on the eve of the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting in Helsingborg and take on particular importance after clear signals of a gradual American withdrawal from Europe.
Just a few hours ago, the Pentagon announced the suspension of the deployment to Europe of the American brigade "Second Armored Brigade Combat Team, First Cavalry Division", also known as the "Black Jack" brigade.
The unit of about 4,000 soldiers was scheduled to deploy in early May for a mission on NATO's eastern flank, specifically in Poland, but the US Department of Defense decided to suspend the operation at the last minute.
However, senior European military leaders are trying to downplay concerns about this development.
During the international security conference "Globsec" in Prague, German General Michael Vetter, responsible for cybersecurity at the Ministry of Defense, stated that the situation should not be dramatized.
"It's not great news, but there's no reason for alarm. This move was long-anticipated. In any case, the American presence in Europe remains important," he said.
Vetter recalled that the US continues to maintain strategic bases in Europe, such as the Ramstein base in Germany.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Army, General Karel Rehka, also downplayed the impact of the American decision.
"The withdrawal of this brigade means that our military deterrence returns to the level of 2021, before the war in Ukraine. NATO has plans for ten brigades. European forces are fully capable of filling this gap," he declared.
In fact, the reduction of the American presence had long been expected by NATO leaders.
The Pentagon had begun gradually slowing troop rotation since last October, when it decided not to replace a brigade previously deployed to Romania.
These measures mainly affect the 15,000 to 20,000 US troops sent to Europe in 2022, on the orders of former President Joe Biden, immediately after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to strengthen NATO's eastern flank.
In addition to this temporary contingent, the US still maintains about 65,000 to 70,000 soldiers at its permanent bases in Europe, mainly in Germany, Italy and the UK.
Berlin's statements and recent developments at the Pentagon confirm that NATO is entering a new phase, where Europe is preparing to take on more military and strategic responsibilities, while the US is gradually reviewing its role on the continent. /Adapted from "Corriere Della Sera"
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