Exclusive: US no longer to chair NATO-led group of key allies

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Exclusive: US no longer to chair NATO-led group of key allies   UK and Germany have stepped into the breach as leaders of the so-called Ramstein group, but it hadn’t been clear whether this was a temporary measure until now.    READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/04/11/us-no-longer-to-chair-nato-led-group-of-key-military-allies  Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages

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00:00The United States will permanently relinquish chairing the Ukraine defense contact group.

00:06Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Breckelmans confirmed to Euronews on Friday during a NATO meeting with over 50 countries.

00:14Despite the shift, he emphasized that Washington's support for Ukraine remains unwavering.

00:20But you're not concerned that the U.S. is no longer chairing that?

00:23The United States has clearly stated also today that they remain committed in their support to Ukraine,

00:30that they keep delivering what they promised.

00:32I think that's the most important thing.

00:33And I think it's good that two of the leading nations, the U.K. and Germany,

00:38have taken over this leading role also when it comes to the UDCG.

00:42The possible repositioning of U.S. forces globally has raised questions.

00:47But Breckelmans clarified that no reduction of American troops in Europe has been announced.

00:52Still, he stressed the growing importance of NATO

00:56and the need for Europe to take on greater responsibility.

01:00If then the United States over time decides to reallocate some of its resources to their own region,

01:07for their homeland defense or to the Indo-Pacific or anywhere else,

01:12I think the most important thing is that we do this together

01:14and that we create a shared plan in which they are able maybe to shift some of their resources

01:20to other parts of the world.

01:21And we as European countries can gradually take over some of those resources.

01:26But we need to keep the United States on board.

01:29They will remain essential to our security.

01:31But I think it's also in the interest of the United States to keep NATO strong.

01:36And that's also what they always state.

01:37As for the Netherlands, Breckelman said his country is ready to increase its defense spending,

01:44working toward the new 5 percent target demanded by the Trump administration.

01:48Catch the full interview of the Europe Conversation on Tuesday.

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