US Announces European Troop Reduction as Hegseth Urges Europe to Lead Its Own Conventional Defence
Pete Hegseth spoke in Normandy on the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings. His remarks followed a U.S. announcement of troop reductions in Europe.
EuronewsUS Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Europe must be the first to provide for its own conventional defence upon arriving in Normandy on Saturday. He spoke during commemorations marking the 82nd anniversary of the 1944 D-Day landings. Hegseth made the statement ahead of a meeting that included France's Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin.
He called on allies such as France to face up seriously to this reality and to show it through concrete progress. S. announcement of a reduction in the number of American troops stationed in Europe.
Euronews reported that the announcement precedes a NATO summit scheduled in Ankara, Turkey, next month. Hegseth had already criticised European allies during a trip to Singapore at the end of May 2026. At that time he said Europeans had for too long ignored calls to strengthen their defences.
Vautrin responded by confirming that France was engaged in a rearmament drive. Official D-Day commemorations began at 1:00pm CET in Ouistreham. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is presenting certificates and green berets to the families of Captain Philippe Kieffer's 177 French commandos who landed on Sword Beach on June 6, 1944.
The international ceremony is due to begin at 4:00pm in Langrune-sur-Mer. Ambassadors and officers representing the Allied forces, as well as Germany, are attending.
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