German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) pushed back strongly against severe criticism from US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth regarding allied nations. Pistorius offered his response during the closed-door meeting of NATO Defense Ministers in Brussels on Thursday, following Hegseth’s previously made public statement.
Addressing the assembly, the Defense Minister declared that NATO must become more European if it is to remain relevant within the transatlantic alliance. However, he insisted that the allies are both willing and capable of accepting increased responsibilities. He urged member states to proceed quickly and responsibly in reallocating burdens.
Pistorius also sharply criticized Hegseth, emphasizing that NATO member states must remain unified. He argued that NATO should not engage in public “naming and shaming,” and that allies should not display their internal disagreements to the opposition.
Hegseth had previously announced plans to review the US military presence in Europe. He cited several reasons for this potential review, including instances where allies allegedly denied the United States the use of military bases and ports, as well as overflight rights, during the conflict involving Iran. He described some of the behavior from certain allies as “shameful.” Furthermore, Hegseth pointed out that not all NATO partners had yet reached the defense spending targets agreed upon at the summit in The Hague a year ago.
