“Europe must take the lead in ensuring its own conventional defense,” stated US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his arrival in Normandy on Saturday, marking the 82nd anniversary of the 1944 D-Day landings.
At a meeting with French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin and other officials, Hegseth emphasized the need for allies like France to address defense preparedness through tangible actions. “It’s time to confront this reality head-on,” he added.
This call follows Hegseth’s earlier remarks during a visit to Singapore in late May, where he criticized European nations for prolonging delays in strengthening their military capabilities.
Vautrin responded by highlighting France’s ongoing “rearmament initiatives,” signaling a shift toward greater self-sufficiency.
Hegseth’s comments emerge as the US plans to scale down its military presence in Europe before an upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
Commemorations in Normandy commenced at 1:00 PM CET in Ouistreham, with French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu awarding certificates and green berets to families of Captain Philippe Kieffer’s 177 French commandos who participated in the historic Sword Beach assault.
An international ceremony is scheduled for 4:00 PM in Langrune-sur-Mer, featuring participation from Allied and German representatives.
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