US to cut security aid for European countries bordering Russia, FT reports
Photo: The US will reduce security assistance to European countries bordering Russia (Getty Images)
The United States plans to gradually wind down security assistance programs for European countries bordering Russia, shifting the financial burden onto Europe, the Financial Times reports.
According to the outlet’s sources, the administration of US President Donald Trump intends to phase out funding under the so-called Section 333, which allows the Pentagon to provide training and military support to US partner states.
The funds are approved by Congress and currently allocated through the end of September 2026, but after that, the Trump administration does not plan to request further funding.
FT sources in the Senate said the decision could mean cutting hundreds of millions of dollars that the US now directs to countries bordering Russia.
Pentagon officials informed ambassadors from several European countries about the planned cuts during a closed-door meeting in Washington.
According to two diplomats briefed on the discussion, European governments were surprised by the announcement and are seeking more information from Washington.
One diplomat said European states are also trying to assess the potential impact of the US move and whether they can compensate for the loss of American funding to strengthen European security.
A White House official told the outlet that the step aligns with Trump’s efforts to review and reallocate US foreign assistance.
The official explained that this action was coordinated with European countries in line with the president’s longstanding emphasis on Europe taking greater responsibility for its own defense.
Earlier, the media reported that NATO’s European allies had begun quiet preparations for a potential reduction of American troops on the continent. They believe the US President plans to redeploy part of the forces to Asia and the Middle East.
Discussions are focusing on three key issues: how many troops will leave Europe, how fast the drawdown will be, and whether European countries can compensate for the absence of major US capabilities, particularly in aviation, satellite intelligence, and logistics.
