Finland calls on NATO to develop a plan in case of US troop withdrawal from Europe
Kyiv • UNN
The Finnish Minister of Defense called on NATO to have a clear action plan in case of the withdrawal of US troops from Europe, in order to avoid a window of opportunity for Russian aggression. He emphasized coordination with EU initiatives.
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen stated that European NATO allies should have a "clear roadmap" outlining how any withdrawal of US forces from the continent would take place.
He said this to POLITICO, reports UNN.
We need to have a joint plan with the Americans on a roadmap if the Americans change the balance in conventional defense capabilities in the Pacific region.
According to him, a "clear roadmap" from Washington is needed so that Russia does not get a "window of opportunity" to increase aggression. US plans should be coordinated with EU initiatives to strengthen the bloc's defense capabilities, the head of the Finnish defense ministry stressed.
Häkkänen's position echoes that of German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the publication notes. And last month he asked his American counterpart Pete Hegseth to "develop a roadmap to avoid gaps in capabilities, gradually organize the distribution of responsibilities to know who will do what" in case the US transfers forces from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region.
However, Pistorius noted that he had not received a response from either the White House or the Pentagon.
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European countries are trying to readjust the defense of the continent. After all, the administration of US President Donald Trump has started an economic war against the EU, deepening relations with Russia. And warned that it may not defend NATO allies, because Washington still believes that allies allocate too little to defense. In addition, the US hints at the possibility of invading Greenland.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio - in Brussels at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers - dismissed concerns about America's commitment to the Alliance as "hysteria."
At the same meeting, NATO chief Mark Rutte argued that there were "no surprises" in the Alliance and that any US turn towards Asia would be carried out "very coordinated."
The Finnish minister was understanding of the US arguments about the need to reorient defense to Asia.
The message I received from the Americans and from the Pentagon is that we must understand their pressure from China's military buildup in the Indo-Pacific region.
But any withdrawal of US forces from Europe poses a danger to the continent, especially for countries close to Russia, he stressed.
Let us remind you
In Hamburg, Germany, from September 25 large-scale Bundeswehr exercises will be held in case of an attack by Russia. Servicemen, columns of cargo vehicles, mobile hospitals and helicopters will be stationed in the city.
