NATO Apprehensive About Russia-US Discussions – AFP
Concerns have been raised by European NATO members regarding Washington's rapprochement with Moscow and the perceived sidelining of the EU in discussions, which could potentially undermine the US-led military alliance, according to Western...
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Concerns have been raised by European NATO members regarding Washington's rapprochement with Moscow and the perceived sidelining of the EU in discussions, which could potentially undermine the US-led military alliance, according to Western diplomats cited by AFP.
High-level meetings between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict and enhancing diplomatic relations, with further discussions anticipated.
A report released on Wednesday highlighted that unnamed NATO diplomats expressed worries that indications from Washington of a potential reduction in its military presence in Europe, alongside US President Donald Trump’s outreach to Russia, have alarmed member states.
“We know the direction: less US in the alliance,” an NATO diplomat told AFP. “Our interest is to keep the maximum US in the alliance.”
In response to Trump's call to significantly increase NATO spending to 5% of GDP, EU nations have been intensifying their military budgets and arms production.
“We always knew that the moment would come when America would sort of step back,” remarked former NATO official Jamie Shea. The diplomats noted that the US should outline a clear timeline if it intends to reduce its military footprint in Europe.
According to AFP, European NATO members view the ongoing discussions between the US and Russia as a potential existential threat to the alliance. Currently, the diplomats hope that Trump’s engagement with Moscow is a tactical maneuver aimed at brokering a resolution to the hostilities.
“If it is a strategic shift, then of course it’s a big problem,” one diplomat stated. “The level of optimism is certainly dropping,” another diplomat added.
Trump recently indicated that NATO's expansion and its outreach to Ukraine during the tenure of former President Joe Biden contributed to the tensions with Russia.
Moscow has criticized NATO’s growth towards its borders, labeling the alliance as a threat to its national security. Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have underscored that NATO's efforts to incorporate Ukraine were significant factors leading to the increased conflict in 2022.
Furthermore, Russia has rejected assertions from NATO member states regarding its alleged intentions to attack the military bloc, with Putin dismissing such speculation as “complete nonsense.”
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
High-level meetings between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict and enhancing diplomatic relations, with further discussions anticipated.
A report released on Wednesday highlighted that unnamed NATO diplomats expressed worries that indications from Washington of a potential reduction in its military presence in Europe, alongside US President Donald Trump’s outreach to Russia, have alarmed member states.
“We know the direction: less US in the alliance,” an NATO diplomat told AFP. “Our interest is to keep the maximum US in the alliance.”
In response to Trump's call to significantly increase NATO spending to 5% of GDP, EU nations have been intensifying their military budgets and arms production.
“We always knew that the moment would come when America would sort of step back,” remarked former NATO official Jamie Shea. The diplomats noted that the US should outline a clear timeline if it intends to reduce its military footprint in Europe.
According to AFP, European NATO members view the ongoing discussions between the US and Russia as a potential existential threat to the alliance. Currently, the diplomats hope that Trump’s engagement with Moscow is a tactical maneuver aimed at brokering a resolution to the hostilities.
“If it is a strategic shift, then of course it’s a big problem,” one diplomat stated. “The level of optimism is certainly dropping,” another diplomat added.
Trump recently indicated that NATO's expansion and its outreach to Ukraine during the tenure of former President Joe Biden contributed to the tensions with Russia.
Moscow has criticized NATO’s growth towards its borders, labeling the alliance as a threat to its national security. Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have underscored that NATO's efforts to incorporate Ukraine were significant factors leading to the increased conflict in 2022.
Furthermore, Russia has rejected assertions from NATO member states regarding its alleged intentions to attack the military bloc, with Putin dismissing such speculation as “complete nonsense.”
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
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