Alexus Grynkewich

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of U.S. troop deployments in Europe, threatening to withhold NATO dues if allies fail to meet defense spending commitments. He criticized allies for not supporting the U.S. during its war with Iran and confirmed immediate reductions in U.S. contributions to NATO's crisis forces.

NATO allies plan to grant the alliance’s top military commander, General Alexus Grynkewich, more authority to shoot down drones amid rising aerial threats in Eastern Flank countries. The proposal aims to streamline asset deployment and integrate air defense systems to address incidents involving drones in Poland, Romania, Estonia, and Latvia.

The U.S. has urged European NATO allies and Canada to increase their contributions of manned and unmanned aircraft and naval vessels to the NATO Force Model as Washington reduces its own military assets in the region. The shift follows a Trump administration decision to scale back U.S. forces available for NATO crisis response, with NATO officials stating no defense gaps are expected as allies step in.

Romania confirmed a Russian drone crashed into a Galati residential building, injuring two, calling it a violation of airspace. US General Alexus Grynkewich agreed to proposals to transfer military equipment to Romania, which seeks accelerated delivery.