Is Europe now ready to take on a greater burden of defense spending as the United States has requested?

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte indicates that European nations must increase their defense spending, a message consistently communicated by U.S. officials. During meetings in Munich and with Defense Secretary Pete Hacksad, the U.S. signaled clearly that European countries need to contribute more financially to their own defense. This message echoes President Trump's consistent position from 2017 to 2020, suggesting a pivotal shift in the post-World War II defense arrangement where the U.S. has historically shouldered the majority of costs against Russia. The current geopolitical climate is pushing Europe toward accepting greater responsibility for its own security needs.