A plan is being developed in Europe to gradually weaken NATO’s dependence on the United States: Financial Times

Consultations are actively underway in Europe on the creation of a plan that would allow for a gradual reduction of NATO countries’ dependence on the United States in matters of defense within the North Atlantic Alliance. It is reported Financial Times, citing its own sources among European officials familiar with the details of the negotiations.

As the publication writes, Great Britain, France, Germany and the states of Northern Europe are participants in informal, but at the same time structured discussions, during which the possibility of gradually transferring financial and military responsibility for European security from Washington to European capitals is being discussed. According to four European officials, such consultations are a response to repeated statements by US President Donald Trump about the possibility of a unilateral withdrawal of the United States from NATO.

The main goal of these negotiations is to develop a plan that will avoid chaos in the event of a sharp change in the US policy towards the Alliance and to assure Washington of the readiness of the European allies to take on most of the expenses and responsibilities in the field of defense of the continent. It is expected that the developed proposals will be presented to the American side before the June summit of NATO leaders, which will be held in The Hague.

According to the plan being discussed, European countries must undertake to significantly increase defense spending and build up their own military capabilities. This should be a demonstration of serious intentions and a step towards strengthening Europe’s autonomy in the field of security. According to the idea of ​​the authors of the initiative, such steps will make it possible to convince Washington and Donald Trump personally that Europe is ready to gradually take on greater responsibility for its own defense. At the same time, it will allow the US to focus more attention and resources on the Asian region.

The Financial Times separately emphasizes that today the United States remains a key and indispensable element of the European security system. Washington spends more on defense than all other NATO countries combined. In addition, the US provides the Alliance with military capabilities that its continental allies lack.

This is primarily about the American nuclear deterrent force, a powerful air and naval presence, as well as the management of strategic bases on the territory of Europe. Currently, about 80,000 American military personnel are permanently stationed in Europe, which is unprecedented support for European security.

European leaders are aware of this dependence and strive to find a compromise path that would simultaneously guarantee the stability of the Alliance and allow for the gradual distribution of responsibility for the defense of the continent between European capitals.