Anušić says Secretary Hegseth's criticisms are in no way directed at Croatia

A meeting of NATO defense ministers was held in Brussels on Thursday, where it was confirmed that the United States would be reducing its military force in Europe. Amid a new wave of drone and missile strikes between Ukraine and Russia, the news prompted renewed calls for Europe to do more to ensure its defenses.

Addressing the meeting of defense ministers, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that the United States would immediately reduce its military force in Europe and that Europe would have to assume a bigger role in its defense. For his part US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that deindustrialization and demilitarization had robbed NATO of its focus, and added that the era of Europe being able to rely on free US protection is over: "Too many allies still don't recognize the historic need that President Trump has made clear to them and to NATO itself, to re-forge a relevant, powerful military alliance. As President Trump put it, and rightfully so, he gave our allies a test, to support America when we asked for their help. And too many failed it. The United States has defended Europe for generations, and all the President said was that our jets would need to take off from bases in Europe, or our ships from ports, to strike targets in the Middle-East. Iranian targets that threatened European interests even more directly than they threatened us. But too many of our allies said no. Or tried to drown us in arcane legal debates. Or criticized us publicly for doing what they aren't prepared or able to do themselves. It was shameful."

All of this comes as the fighting between Ukraine and Russia continues unabated. Speaking after the meeting, Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić said that he agrees with the US position that Europe must do more with regard to its own defenses. He also emphasized that Europe woke up in time and started working on strengthening its defenses and its defense industry. He further said that believes that Europe will be able to fill the gaps left after the withdrawal of some American forces: "Up until a few years ago, we truly relied on the United States and them alone. We support what Secretary Hegseth said, and I believe that Europe should do more and is doing more. Croatia is adhering to this dynamic and his criticisms were in no way directed at Croatia."

The news of what appears to be a structural realignment within the NATO alliance comes as the United States and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding to end the US-Israeli attack on Iran. Along with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has also reaffirmed that it will not acquire or develop nuclear weapons. For its part the US will lift all sanctions against Tehran and cease all hostilities, including those being conducted by Israel in Lebanon. The MoU also includes at least $300 billion for Iran's reconstruction and economic development.

Presenting the news Iranian State Television said that the text of the memorandum of understanding to end the war that the US and the Zionist regime had imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran was signed early on Thursday by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump. President Trump signed the MoU at the Palace of Versailles just outside Paris, on Wednesday evening during a post-G7 summit dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. After signing the MoU President Trump explained why he signed the memorandum: "The one thing I didn't want to see is I didn't want to see economic catastrophe. If you kept this going that could have happened. But all I know is that every time we talked about the possibility of peace the stock market shot up like a rocket ship. It never went down."

Source: HRT