Hegseth spoke at a press conference during an official visit to the defense ministers from all three Baltic states to the Pentagon, their first official visit with the defense secretary.

Despite the desired pivot toward the Indo-Pacific, U.S. cooperation with Europe and continued transatlantic relations was still discussed.

"We also recognize that the United States has a lot of obligations around the world, including defending our homeland, and deterring war in the Indo-Pacific. So this is why European leadership in your own conventional defense on the continent is more important than ever. Your efforts to modernize and invest in new military capabilities are critical to deterring attacks and building readiness. I really, from this podium, in this building, want to applaud your leadership, as I mentioned on meeting the 5 percent defense spending target not years down the road but in all of your countries in 2026."

Hegseth noted the U.S. remains fully committed to NATO and obtaining peace in Europe and for Ukraine through that organization, via negotiations, deterrence and allied capabilities and interoperability.

Hegseth also thanked the three Baltic defense ministers for their countries' organization of large scale international military exercises, which strengthen collective readiness, noting with gratitude the deployment of U.S. M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) units to the Baltic states for training ahead of the three countries getting their own systems.

The full press conference with Hegseth and all three Baltic defense ministers can be viewed via the video player below (conference starts around the 18'25'' mark).

Following the meeting, Estonian Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur (Reform) said: "NATO is vitally important to the United States, as clearly demonstrated by the recent decision at the summit in The Hague to raise defense spending to 5 percent of GDP. The U.S. played a key leadership role in reaching that agreement."

"The presence of U.S. troops adds significant value to the training of Estonian units — including the integration of HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems delivered this year, and through participation in joint exercises," he added via a press release. "It is clear that European Allies must work hard to meet the objectives agreed at The Hague. The U.S. has played a powerful role in driving that effort,..

"From our perspective, it's essential to continue the excellent cooperation we've established. U.S. forces train in Estonia in full integration with Estonian Defense Forces. This military partnership is mutually beneficial and of the highest standard," Pevkur went on.

Pevkur also told "Aktuaalne kaamera" that the U.S. military presence in Europe is under review in cooperation with NATO, in the context of the continued pivot towards the Indo-Pacific so far as U.S. focus goes.

"The fact is that European countries must do more. And this agreement was reached in The Hague that NATO as a whole will reach five percent in defense spending. As for the U.S. force posture globally, it is currently under review. And Secretary Hegseth confirmed that this will not be done as a shock for Europe — that we won't suddenly wake up one morning to find out what the U.S. posture in Europe will be. This is being done in cooperation, in cooperation with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and NATO headquarters. More specific numbers may be seen during the autumn. They are not moving ahead with this very quickly. But the fact is that the United States' focus is shifting more toward the Indo-Pacific region," Pevkur noted.

The minister also met with members of the U.S. Senate and various think tanks while in Washington.

Around 600 U.S. troops are based in Estonia on a rotational basis, predominantly at Reedo barracks in Võru County in a rotation currently held by the 7th Cavalry, along with Task Force Victory, operating HIMARS systems, based at Tapa.

The Trump administration's stance on the war in Ukraine has been more towards getting the war wrapped up as quickly as possible, including at Russia's cost, and a peace agreement signed, whereas the European emphasis is more on obtaining a good deal for Ukraine. While these overlap they mean some differences on, for instance, the type of military aid earmarked for Ukraine.

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