US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Saturday that Europe is facing what he called an "invasion" from dangerous ideologies arriving from the sea, linking the issue of immigration to the legacy of the Normandy landings during World War II. Reuters.
During a speech at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, as part of the commemoration of the 82nd anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy, Hegseth said that several European countries are facing serious challenges related to immigration.
"Unfortunately, today various European beaches are being attacked by different and dangerous ideologies. Ships and men are arriving on the beaches of Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria," he said.
The US secretary further raised the question of whether European capitals will act in the face of this situation.
"When will European capitals do something about this invasion, or is it too late? I pray not and I believe not," Hegseth declared.
His comments reflect the positions of US President Donald Trump's administration, which has often criticized European countries for their management of immigration, defense spending and domestic policies.
The speech was delivered during ceremonies marking the anniversary of the landing of Allied forces in Normandy, one of the most important military operations of World War II, which marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.
