Trump NATO Envoy Tells Nations To Take Responsibility For Expanding East

U.S. Envoy to NATO Matthew Whitaker told member states to modernize their military infrastructure in order to move their troops from Western to Eastern Europe.

Whitaker spoke at the Warsaw Security Forum on Monday where he advised NATO’s members that they must refashion their military infrastructure in order to move troops and equipment from the West to the East “where we would expect any future conflicts,” Politico reported. The envoy also asserted that Europe comes fourth in American defense priorities after homeland security, the Western Hemisphere and the Indo-Pacific.

Though he did not explicitly confirm any American troop drawdown, he emphasized that Washington is reassessing its military priorities.

The U.S. Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

“Superpowers and great global powers have mostly had challenges when they get overextended,” Whitaker said, emphasizing that President Donald Trump wants U.S. allies to be “capable and not dependent,” according to Politico. Under the ongoing U.S. force posture and basing review, outdated military bases, fuel supply chains and agreements governing the stationing of American troops in Europe will be scrutinized.

Whitaker also criticized countries falling short of their spending goals and sent a “very strong message” to political leadership in the Czech Republic, the outlet reported. The European country’s current defense budget is 1.8% of its GDP, 0.2% below the current 2% NATO standard.

This comes as European officials warn that Russia could be ready to attack a NATO country by 2030, according to Politico.

Since Trump has returned to office, the administration has changed its position on troop reallotment in Europe several times.

“The United States isn’t stepping back. We’re just asking you to step forward,” Whitaker told NATO countries, according to Politico.