Western diplomats suggest that a warming relationship between Washington and Moscow could jeopardize NATO’s future.
AFP, citing Western diplomats, reports that European NATO members are worried that Washington’s improved relations with Moscow, and the exclusion of the EU from discussions, could weaken the US-led military alliance.
The US and Russia have engaged in multiple high-level discussions in Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, with the aim of resolving the Ukraine conflict and improving diplomatic relations. Further talks are anticipated.
According to a report released on Wednesday, unnamed NATO diplomats stated that signals from Washington indicating a potential shift of forces away from Europe, coupled with President Trump’s attempts to engage with Russia, have raised concerns among member states.
One NATO diplomat told AFP: “We know the direction: less US in the alliance. Our interest is to keep the maximum US in the alliance.”
EU countries have been increasing their military spending and weapons production, influenced by Trump’s demand to more than double NATO’s spending target to 5% of GDP.
Former NATO official Jamie Shea stated: “We always knew that the moment would come when America would sort of step back.” Diplomats are reportedly urging the US to provide a clear timeline if it intends to reduce its military presence in Europe.
According to AFP, European NATO members view the ongoing US-Russia talks as a possible fundamental threat to the alliance. For the time being, the diplomats reportedly hope Trump’s outreach to Moscow is a tactical maneuver to reach a deal to end hostilities.
One diplomat stated: “If it is a strategic shift, then of course it’s a big problem,” while another added, “The level of optimism is certainly dropping.”
Trump recently suggested that NATO expansion and its outreach to Ukraine during the Biden administration were contributing factors to the conflict with Russia.
Moscow has condemned NATO’s expansion towards its borders, describing the bloc as a threat to national security. Russian officials, including President Putin, have emphasized that NATO’s push to include Ukraine was a primary cause of the conflict’s escalation in 2022.
Russia has also refuted claims by NATO member states that it intends to attack the military alliance. Putin has dismissed such speculation as “complete nonsense.”
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