NATO prepares for war with Russia without the US: why this matters for Ukraine.

According to ТСН: The Steadfast Dart 2025 military exercises, which took place in November in Romania, became a sign of the Alliance's readiness for a possible confrontation with Russia in the context of a reduced American military presence in Europe.

The event took place in the natural defensive landscape of the Carpathian Mountains, approximately 260 kilometers north of Bucharest. The main command of the exercise was conducted by the French side, with almost no participation from the US.

Reports indicate that the number of American troops in the region has started to decrease. In Romania, where several NATO bases are located, the number of American troops has dropped from 1700 to approximately 1000. Troop withdrawals from Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Hungary are also planned.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth noted that these changes are coordinated with the NATO Secretary-General and allies.

“This is the first time in 70 years that Europeans no longer view American security guarantees as guarantees,” said Yulia Dzhoya, director of the Black Sea program at the Middle East Institute.

The US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, characterized the exercises in Romania as “a great example of how Europeans are managing all affairs on their own.” However, the focus of the exercises was on ground combat, where European NATO members are capable of acting independently. Meanwhile, the US continues to provide airspace control and logistical support that may be needed in the event of a large-scale conflict.

This demonstrates the difficulties Europe may face if it has to act alone. On matters of “strategic assets,” such as air and missile defense, as well as intelligence, the continent still relies on American support.

Another important aspect is logistics — reinforcements for allies may take weeks to arrive in Romania, meaning the country may have to defend itself without assistance for some time. The head of the Romanian army, General Gheorghe Vlad, claims that in the event of an attack, his country will have capabilities similar to those of Ukraine.

Earlier, the Financial Times reported on the challenges of logistics in redeploying NATO troops to the eastern flank bordering Russia. It takes about 45 days. The EU's goal is to reduce this time to three to five days, which will require urgent infrastructure modernization and the implementation of the concept of a “military Schengen.”

These exercises underscore the importance of cooperation among European countries in a changing security environment. The reduction of the American presence in Europe forces European states to consider increasing their own defense capability and independence. Implementing new strategies and technologies has become a key task for ensuring stability in the region and readiness for potential challenges in the future.