Wadephul is not alone in calling for more investment in the type of modern Ukrainian-made drones. During a major military exercise in Champagne last week, French President Emmanuel Macron did the same is emphasized the importance of drone technology for national defense.
Drones – which, as Ukraine has shown, can be developed quickly and outperform more expensive technology – are particularly useful as Europe tries to strengthen its defenses against Russia, as the US withdraws.
The Pentagon last week announced that it would withdraw 5,000 US troops from Germany over the next year. The news came amid a dispute between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Washington lacked a clear strategy to end its war in Iran and it was being implemented. “humiliated” from Tehran.
Trump has also threatened to withdraw US troops from Spain and Italywhose leaders have also been criticizing the war against Iran. And the US president has long considered withdrawing from NATO.
Wadephul on Monday sought to downplay fears of a large-scale withdrawal of US troops from Europe during the withdrawal of US troops and expressed his confidence in the European Union’s conventional ability to deter them.
“I am absolutely convinced that the United States appreciates the value and importance of NATO, including its security,” he said, adding that he was confident the alliance’s conventional deterrence capabilities would not be affected by the changes. Trump has done it he made many public statements mocking NATO.
