Hegseth's Ultimatum: France Must Ditch Freeloading and Defend Itself Now!

When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sat down with France’s Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu at the Pentagon on April 17, 2025, the message was crystal clear: Europe needs to pull its weight. Hegseth didn’t mince words, pressing France to ramp up its defense spending and shoulder more responsibility for the continent’s security. This isn’t just a policy shift; it’s a long-overdue reckoning for a continent that’s leaned on America’s military might for far too long.

For decades, the United States has been the backbone of NATO, footing the bill and providing the muscle to keep Europe safe. But with global threats multiplying, from Russia’s aggression in Ukraine to China’s growing ambitions in the Indo-Pacific, America’s resources are stretched thin. Hegseth’s blunt call to action reflects a broader truth: Europe can no longer afford to coast on Uncle Sam’s generosity. France, with its formidable military and nuclear arsenal, is the natural leader to drive this change.

The timing couldn’t be more critical. Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds on, with peace talks faltering despite President Trump’s renewed diplomatic push. The Kremlin’s refusal to budge on territorial demands exposes the fragility of European security. If Europe doesn’t step up now, it risks being caught flat-footed in a world where America’s priorities are shifting eastward.

Hegseth’s meeting with Lecornu wasn’t just about France. It was a shot across the bow for all of NATO’s European allies. The days of freeloading are over. Europe must forge a stronger, self-reliant defense or face the consequences of its own complacency.

France is no slouch when it comes to military power. With 200,000 active personnel, 290 nuclear warheads, and a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, it boasts the EU’s strongest armed forces. The 2024-2030 Military Programming Act, allocating €413 billion, marks a 40% jump in defense spending, with plans to hit €67 billion by 2030. President Macron has even floated pushing defense budgets to 3.5% or 5% of GDP. These are bold moves, and they deserve credit.

But bold isn’t enough. France’s forces, while versatile, are geared for global interventions, not the grinding, high-intensity conflicts that could erupt on Europe’s doorstep. Ammunition stockpiles are dangerously low, and fiscal deficits—among the EU’s largest—cast a shadow over Macron’s ambitious plans. Raising defense spending to 3.5% of GDP would demand an extra €30 billion annually, a tall order for a nation already strapped for cash.

Then there’s the broader European picture. The EU’s €800 billion ReArm Europe initiative and NATO’s push for 23 allies to meet the 2% GDP defense spending target signal progress. Yet Europe’s defense industry remains a patchwork of competing national interests. Joint procurement lags, and reliance on American systems, from air defense to intelligence, persists. France’s push for indigenous systems like the SAMP/T NG air-defense platform is a start, but it’s nowhere near enough to replace U.S. contributions anytime soon.

Advocates for European strategic autonomy argue that the continent can go it alone, but their vision ignores hard realities. Without U.S. nuclear deterrence and command structures, Europe’s defenses would crumble under a serious threat. Hegseth’s challenge to France isn’t about abandoning allies; it’s about demanding they grow up and invest in their own survival.

The war in Ukraine is a glaring reminder of what’s at stake. Russia’s relentless assaults, like the recent strike on Sumy, show no signs of abating. Peace talks, revived under President Trump’s leadership, have hit a wall. Putin’s demands—control over Crimea and four occupied regions—are nonstarters for Ukraine, which rightly insists on full territorial integrity. Russia’s stalling tactics, tying ceasefires to sanctions relief, only deepen the deadlock.

European leaders, particularly in France and the UK, have stepped up with plans for a ‘coalition of the willing’ to provide Ukraine security guarantees. But these efforts ring hollow without a unified, robust European defense. The Western coalition supporting Ukraine is fraying, with U.S. commitment under scrutiny and Europe struggling to fill the gap. France’s military aid to Ukraine is commendable, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to what’s needed to counter Russia’s aggression.

Those pushing for endless U.S. involvement in Ukraine argue it’s America’s duty` duty to keep the fight going. But this mindset dodges the real issue: Europe’s failure to take ownership of its own backyard. The Ukraine crisis isn’t just a test for Kyiv; it’s a wake-up call for Europe to stop outsourcing its security and start building a defense that can stand on its own.

Since NATO’s founding in 1949, the U.S. has been the alliance’s linchpin, providing troops, nuclear deterrence, and billions in funding. During the Cold War, this made sense—Europe was rebuilding, and the Soviet threat loomed large. But the Berlin Wall fell over three decades ago, and Europe’s economies now rival America’s. Yet, the U.S. still accounts for nearly 70% of NATO’s defense spending. That’s not alliance; that’s dependency.

Hegseth’s push for burden-shifting isn’t new. Presidents from Eisenhower to Trump have called for fairer contributions, but Europe’s response has been sluggish. Poland, spending 4.7% of GDP on defense, shows what’s possible. France and others need to follow suit, not out of guilt, but self-interest. A stronger Europe means a stronger NATO, and a stronger NATO means a safer world.

Voices arguing for U.S. retrenchment aren’t isolationists; they’re realists. America’s focus is shifting to the Indo-Pacific, where China’s navy now outnumbers the U.S. fleet. With France and the U.S. already partnering in the region, a more capable Europe could free up American resources to counter Beijing’s ambitions, benefiting both sides of the Atlantic.

Hegseth’s meeting with Lecornu isn’t just another diplomatic photo-op. It’s a clarion call for Europe to take its destiny into its own hands. France, with its military prowess and global influence, is uniquely positioned to lead this charge. But leadership means more than speeches—it means hard choices, from slashing deficits to boost defense budgets to forging a unified European defense industry.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. A Europe that fails to act risks becoming a geopolitical bystander, vulnerable to Russia, China, or whoever comes next. America’s commitment to NATO remains ironclad, but it’s not a blank check. The transatlantic alliance thrives when both sides pull their weight, and it’s time for Europe to do its part.

As Ukraine fights for survival and the world watches, Europe faces a choice: step up or stand down. Hegseth’s message to France—and all of Europe—is simple: don’t wait for a crisis to find your spine. Act now, invest in your defense, and prove you’re ready to lead. The clock’s ticking.