Leaders and representatives of NATO member states' defense ministries have begun taking measures in case the United States withdraws from the Alliance, which has been the foundation of European security since 1949. Donald Trump's anger over the unwillingness to join the US war against Iran has forced leaders of other NATO countries to unite against the American president, UNN reports, citing Politico.
Details
As the publication notes, in private conversations, during informal dinners, and on the sidelines of meetings in Brussels and other cities, European leaders and officials are discussing how to respond to the US president's threats to withdraw from NATO and what they will do if he does.
NATO is paralyzed - they can't even hold meetings. It is quite obvious that NATO is already falling apart. We cannot wait for the organization to completely disappear
He added that Europe must urgently strengthen its own defense in such circumstances.
In addition, there is a hidden concern among NATO officials about the split in the alliance, as well as some surprise that the US has not yet officially asked NATO for help in the Persian Gulf. According to officials, it is not precisely known what Washington is seeking.
According to a European diplomat who wished to remain anonymous, Secretary General Mark Rutte has "irritated" some allies by resolutely adhering to his policy of refraining from criticizing America and claiming that there are no problems in NATO.
At the same time, in private conversations, officials admit that relentless criticism from the US inevitably weakens NATO, as at its core, the alliance is an idea. Article 5 of the NATO treaty stipulates that alliance members will be ready to defend any member attacked by a foreign country, such as Russia.
At the moment when this promise is questioned, NATO loses its strength as a deterrent to Russian aggression. Trump has questioned this idea so often that he has turned doubts about NATO into official policy. However, for Europeans, there is still no single answer to the question of how to restore NATO's authority or what to replace it with if the worst happens (referring to a Russian invasion - ed.)
Recall
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit Washington next week amid Donald Trump's criticism of disagreements over Iran.