A leaked Pentagon document has sparked international alarm by revealing that the United States is unlikely to deploy troops to defend Europe in the event of a Russian military incursion. The confidential memo, titled “Interim National Defence Strategic Guidance”, outlines a dramatic shift in U.S. defence priorities, placing China above Europe in Washington’s global military agenda.
According to the memo, first reported by the Washington Post, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated unequivocally that American military forces would not be automatically mobilized to protect European allies if Russia were to attack. Instead, the U.S. would reserve its troop deployments for defending its own territory and deterring Chinese aggression—particularly in relation to Taiwan.
“China is the Department’s sole pacing threat,” Hegseth reportedly wrote. “Denial of a Chinese fait accompli seizure of Taiwan—while simultaneously defending the U.S. homeland—is the Department’s sole pacing scenario.”
Although the United States pledged to continue supporting Europe through its nuclear deterrent capabilities, the document calls for greater European investment in collective defence. It emphasizes that NATO allies must become more self-reliant in the face of possible Russian aggression, especially if the U.S. is engaged in another conflict or withholds its forces.
“This leaked report tells us in black and white what we’ve known for six weeks: the U.S. is not interested in the defence of the European continent,” said Mike Martin, a UK Member of Parliament and member of the Defence Select Committee. “The UK now needs to work rapidly with our European allies to deliver collective security in Europe without the U.S.”
The revelations have reignited concerns about NATO’s unity and Europe’s long-standing reliance on American military power. Critics argue the leak reflects a broader repositioning of U.S. foreign policy, particularly under the Trump administration, which has prioritized a more insular, America-first strategy.
Read Also:
- Macron to EU colleagues: Stop buying American, buy European
- Trump tariffs: EU will respond collectively – German Chancellor
- Ukraine demands ‘fighting ready’ troops from Europe
Former Defence Select Committee Chair Tobias Ellwood called the memo “a wake-up call to Europe,” warning that it could embolden the Kremlin to expand further westward.
“Europe can no longer view the United States as a guaranteed security partner,” Ellwood said. “This memo confirms a shift in American strategic thinking and places Europe in a more vulnerable position.”
He further warned that this shift “enhances and encourages Russian aggression,” suggesting the West must rapidly adapt to a new era of global realpolitik.
Implications for Europe
The leaked memo is expected to fuel debates within NATO and the European Union over military spending, joint defense initiatives, and the development of an independent European security strategy. As the U.S. focuses on the Pacific, European leaders may be forced to reimagine the continent’s defense framework without guaranteed American military support.
Analysts suggest this could accelerate discussions around EU strategic autonomy, a concept long debated but rarely acted upon with urgency—until now.
With rising tensions in Eastern Europe and persistent fears over Russian expansionism, the memo serves as both a diplomatic tremor and a strategic challenge. Europe, it seems, must now look inward—and to its immediate neighbours—for defence leadership in a rapidly shifting global order.
