The U.S. National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz, expressed support for NATO's European allies and reaffirmed commitments under Article 5 regarding collective defense, while emphasizing the need for them to increase their security spending.
"We fully support our NATO allies. We are completely committed to Article 5 obligations. But it's time for our European allies to step up... We are heading to the NATO summit this June with a third of our NATO allies still not reaching the 2% minimum - a commitment they made ten years ago, with war at the doorstep, the biggest war they are all extremely concerned about, yet someone else has to pay for it. We have other domestic priorities, and that is unacceptable. President Trump made this clear. The minimum must be met," - Waltz said at a White House briefing on Thursday.
According to him, the U.S. has urged Europe to step up and ensure its own prosperity, security, and defense, and welcomed discussions led by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron regarding security guarantees in Europe.
"We certainly welcome increased European contributions. I have told my colleagues: if you want a bigger seat at the table, come with a bigger offer. We have been asking for this for quite some time," the advisor stated.
The U.S. has "made it clear for decades that it is unacceptable for the United States and American taxpayers to continue to bear the burden not only of the costs of the war in Ukraine but also of the defense of Europe," added Waltz.