US wants Europe to take over NATO defence by 2027 — Reuters

The US wants Europe to take over NATO's defence by 2027. Photo is for illustrative purposes: AP Photo

The United States is calling on its European NATO allies to provide for the Alliance's conventional defence on their own by 2027. This includes both intelligence and missile capabilities.

According to Reuters, Washington conveyed this message this week during a meeting between Pentagon officials and European delegations. European representatives consider such deadlines unrealistic.

The Pentagon said the US is unhappy with the way Europe is bolstering its defences in the wake of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

US officials have warned that if Europe fails to meet the requirements by 2027, Washington may withdraw from part of NATO's defence coordination mechanisms.

Earlier, Donald Trump said that NATO member states should shoot down Russian planes that fly into the Alliance's territory.

Thus, in response to a journalist's question, the American leader said that NATO member states should shoot down Russian aircraft if they violate the Alliance's airspace.