ARMENIA — NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said European leaders must take on a larger role in the alliance after United States President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany. The Pentagon announced the troop withdrawal on Friday.

"European leaders have gotten the message. They heard the message loud and clear," Rutte said. He added that "Europeans are stepping up, a bigger role for Europe and a stronger NATO."

Rutte said more European nations were pre-positioning minehunters and minesweepers close to the Gulf to be ready for the next phase in the war. He made those remarks as NATO allies weighed the implications of the planned U.S. troop reduction.

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said the timing of the troop withdrawal announcement was a "surprise." She said the decision reinforced the need for European countries to take on greater responsibility within the alliance. "I think it shows that we have to really strengthen the European pillar in NATO, and we have to really do more," Kallas said. "American troops are not in Europe only for protecting European interests but also American interests."

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said officials in the 32-nation military alliance are working with the U.S. to understand the details of their decision on force posture in Germany.

European countries have committed to increase defense spending in response to concerns over U.S. commitment to NATO and Russia's assault on Ukraine.