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| U.S. NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker |
In a virtual press briefing hosted by the U.S. State Department’s Brussels Media Hub, Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, addressed global media outlets on a range of pressing transatlantic security topics ahead of this week’s NATO informal foreign ministerial meeting in Antalya, Türkiye. With over 200 media organizations in attendance, the session underscored the heightened global attention on NATO’s evolving defense posture and the broader geopolitical landscape.
A New Era of NATO Investment: The 5% Proposal
Ambassador Whitaker’s opening remarks emphasized a bold shift in NATO’s defense spending expectations. He reiterated the U.S. administration’s push for NATO Allies to adopt a 5-percent-of-GDP Defense Investment Plan, signaling a significant escalation from the traditional 2% benchmark.
“Five percent is not just a number; it is a necessity for our security,” Whitaker stated. “We must be prepared to meet significant threats head-on.”
Citing increasing global threats and evolving warfare domains, the ambassador argued that anything short of this level of investment would leave the Alliance vulnerable. He credited President Trump’s leadership with “fundamentally changing the conversation” around defense spending, noting that 20 NATO Allies have pledged to increase their defense budgets since Trump’s re-election.
But Whitaker made it clear that the new investment plan isn't merely about financial contributions.
“Money alone will not deliver the security we need,” he cautioned, pointing instead to the need for revitalized defense industrial capacity, fair treatment for American defense technology firms, and stronger transatlantic industrial cooperation.
Addressing Concerns on Strategic Posture and Capabilities
When asked whether the 5% demand was a negotiation tactic, possibly aiming for a lower threshold like 3.5%, Whitaker firmly dismissed the notion:
“No. Five percent is our number. We’re asking our Allies to invest in their defense like they mean it.”
The ambassador also addressed concerns about what constitutes “defense-related spending,” assuring that the 5% target would include critical domains like cybersecurity and military mobility but would remain focused strictly on defense capabilities.
The War in Ukraine: Toward Peace Talks?
Much of the press briefing revolved around the war in Ukraine and the potential for peace negotiations. Ambassador Whitaker struck a hopeful tone, suggesting that Thursday’s anticipated meeting between Russia and Ukraine may be the most promising development in years:
“We are as close as we’ve ever been to the war ending… If anybody can get a peace deal done, it’s President Trump.”
However, he was cautious, noting that the U.S. will judge Russia’s commitment by its actions, not words, and emphasized that both Ukraine and Russia will have to make difficult compromises to secure peace.
On whether the U.S. would increase sanctions should Russia reject a proposed 30-day ceasefire, Whitaker deferred, indicating that the administration is focused first on enabling the negotiations to begin.
U.S. Military Presence in Europe: Not a Pullback
Responding to inquiries about potential U.S. troop reductions in Europe, the ambassador clarified that the United States is not retreating from its European commitments.
“We are having ongoing discussions with our Allies to make sure there are no security gaps,” he said, highlighting that any changes would be made in close consultation with NATO members.
He also reinforced the message that European Allies must step up, not just in spending but in capability, to ensure collective readiness across NATO.
The Upcoming NATO Summit: Investment, Industry, and Ukraine
Looking ahead to the NATO Summit in The Hague this June, Whitaker identified three top priorities:
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The 5% Defense Investment Plan
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The status of the war in Ukraine
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Strengthening the defense industrial base across the Alliance
He underscored that NATO’s 360-degree security approach would ensure comprehensive discussions on threats from all strategic directions, including the critical importance of the Black Sea region, where countries like Türkiye, Romania, and Bulgaria have a front-row seat to the war’s regional impact.
Will Trump Attend the NATO Summit?
Addressing speculation about President Trump’s attendance at the June summit, Whitaker confirmed:
“We’re all planning on President Trump to be there… He will take this opportunity to speak with Allies about our commitment to collective defense.”
Ukraine Peacekeeping and Security Guarantees
The ambassador concluded by addressing the possibility of an international coalition—perhaps outside of NATO—providing reassurance forces to Ukraine as part of a peace agreement. While he did not confirm U.S. participation in such a force, he left the door open:
“Everything is on the table to try to get a peace deal… The United States will be able to provide, but those decisions are ultimately up to the President.”
Final Thoughts
As the NATO informal foreign ministerial convenes in Türkiye and with possible Ukraine-Russia negotiations on the horizon, the U.S. appears poised to drive a firm and strategic agenda. Ambassador Whitaker’s briefing made one thing clear: Washington expects its Allies to not only spend more but to spend wisely—and to prepare for a collective future where defense, deterrence, and diplomacy must all work in tandem.
Stay tuned for more updates as the NATO summit approaches and diplomatic efforts in Eastern Europe unfold.
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