Europe is developing a backup plan to protect the region with existing NATO troops in the event of the US withdrawal from the alliance.
This is stated in the WSJ article.
Officials are currently working on plans called a “European NATO.” Among the main tasks are to involve more Europeans in the alliance’s command functions and to supplement American resources with their own.
In developing plans in the event of a US withdrawal from NATO, Europe wants to maintain Russia’s deterrence potential, operational continuity, and nuclear reliability without American assistance.
The plans were first mentioned last year when the US president threatened to take Greenland. However, they have gained more relevance amid statements that the US will review its membership in the organization.
Another important moment was the change in the views of the German leadership. For a long time, Berlin, where American nuclear weapons are located, did not question the role of the United States in NATO.
However, last year, Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted that Trump had abandoned Ukraine, confusing the victim with the perpetrator.
According to the interlocutors, Germany’s change of position helped to achieve agreement among a number of countries – Great Britain, France, Poland, the Nordic countries and Canada. After that, NATO members moved on to planning important military issues.
European countries are seeking to take over most of the responsibilities, including logistics, intelligence, command, etc.
In addition, they want to catch up with the United States in areas where they are lagging behind. These include anti-submarine warfare, space and reconnaissance capabilities, intelligence, and nuclear deterrence.
“The burden shift from the US to Europe is already happening and will continue… as part of the US defense and national security strategy,” said Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that after the end of the war in Iran, the US would review its membership in the North Atlantic Alliance .
Recall that Trump may begin the official process of the United States’ withdrawal from NATO . This decision is seen not only as a threat to the solidarity of the allies, but also as an element of an internal electoral strategy to strengthen ratings.
