‘Shameful’: Hegseth Blasts NATO Allies, Orders Review Of US Forces In Europe

Published 18 June 2026 · europe

‘Shameful’: Hegseth Blasts NATO Allies, Orders Review Of US Forces In Europe Published By, Last Updated: June 18, 2026, 16:42 IST This comes after President

‘Shameful’: Hegseth Blasts NATO Allies, Orders Review Of US Forces In Europe Published By, Last Updated: June 18, 2026, 16:42 IST This comes after President Trump spent months criticising the NATO allies for not supporting Washington enough during the war with Iran. There were also talks on burden-sharing. United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in defense ministers format at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday. (Image: AP) US Defence Secretary Peter Hegseth has lashed out at NATO allies for failing to provide US access to bases in their countries while announcing a si month review of American forces in Europe. The outcome of the review will depend on the pace of Europe taking responsibility for their own security. According to Associated Press, Hegseth lambasted European allies for failing to provide US forces access to bases in Europe to launch attacks on Iran, calling it “shameful".

“These allies, they put America’s sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk by denying them the predictable access, basing and overflight that never should have been in question at all," he said. Check for Live Updates on Iran War This comes after President Donald Trump spent months criticising the NATO allies for not supporting Washington enough during the war with Iran. There were also discussions on burden-sharing. In May, the US announced its decision to withdraw around 5,000 troops from Germany, a move that sparked fresh debate on Europe’s defence responsibilities. LIVE: @SecWar speaks at NATO HQ in Brussels Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) June 18, 2026 While addressing NATO allies on Thursday, Hegseth told his counterparts in Brussels, “This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defence of Europe." The Defence Secretary also raised Europe’s previous reaction to US’ move against migration, saying, “Instead of tanks and fighters and air defences, the focus has been on gender equity and climate change and defence austerity.

Europe’s borders flew wide open, welfare states expanded, and defence budgets cratered. Along with Europe’s belief in itself and its civilisation." AP quoted NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte saying that they have spent $90 billion more on defence last year, a 20 per cent increase over 2024. And while Europe accepted large numbers of migrants and asylum seekers more than a decade ago, most countries have tightened their borders since. This comes weeks after the US informed its NATO allies that it would no longer supply certain warships and aircraft if one of them came under attack. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Brussels, Belgium First Published: June 18, 2026, 16:42 IST News world ‘Shameful’: Hegseth Blasts NATO Allies, Orders Review Of US Forces In Europe Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.