No one doubts the US is NATO’s top dog. Its military budget has served as the backbone of Europe’s security for decades. However, representatives of 32 NATO countries submitted to the alliance headquarters under Belgium’s Drizzle on Thursday, meaning Donald Trump agreed to launch peace talks with Ukraine with Putin “quickly” As the news has sunk, the news that it has launched a peace conference with sinking Ukraine, many Washingtons call the shot here, which seemed obvious.
Apparently, Rainclouds wasn’t the only thing going above the head.
From what we know, Trump did not consult with his European allies or brief allies before calling Russian President Vladimir Putin. At NATO, many people seemed somewhat relieved to call Ukrainian president Voldymi Zelenki.
An immature concession to Vladimir Putin?
The US faced accusations that it had offered concessions to Moscow after Washington suggested that Ukraine would likely have to transfer territory and reduce its NATO membership hopes.
“It would have been better to talk about the possibility of Ukraine’s NATO membership and the potential for loss of the country’s territory at the negotiation table first.
EU Foreign and Security Director Kaja Kallas was invited to speak at NATO, but was equally important.
“Even before negotiations begin, why are we (Russia) giving everything they want?” she told DW and other outlets on the sidelines of the consultation. “It softens. It’s never worked out.”
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses argued that the US has not betrayed Ukraine. However, when the US was forced to spell out whether or not to make concessions Russia must make, he was not portrayed, and instead stated: Something the President of the United States should not have done otherwise – I just reject it in that face. ”
“I will take these two leaders to the table at this moment and think about the world leaders so that they can ultimately build a durable peace that will serve Ukraine’s interests. I’ll challenge someone else,” he added.
Europe demands table seating
As Trump’s solo efforts rattle their allies, many defense ministers gathered at NATO on Thursday to reveal clear demands.
“The deal behind our backs won’t work. Any agreement needs to be Ukraine and Europe as part of it,” Karas said.
It also wanted to remind Washington that the ceasefire halt agreement signed by Russia and Ukraine did little to stop the launch of a full-scale invasion in 2022. It seems there is.
“If we want to sustainably repel the threat (of Russian invasion) and ensure peace, we will have to do more,” writes French Jean Noel Barro in X. .
No leverage for US decisions?
However, European countries have increased their military spending since 2022, sent arms to Kiev and trained Ukrainian forces to fight, but they still rely on US military support, and are self-sufficient in terms of defense It’s far from being self-sufficient.
Burno Lete, a researcher focusing on the bond between European University’s defense and transatlantic, said this would have little leverage for Europe to counter U.S. policy decisions.
“Last night, the West began to collapse,” Letty concluded, suggesting that translation cooperation was giving way to our preferences.
Now, it appears that Trump is clearly pushing the issue of war in Ukraine without seeking European support or consensus.
Some of Ukraine’s most robust political and military supporters are the Baltic countries. As a former member of the Soviet region, the Kremlin fears that if they are encouraged by a contract to end the war in Ukraine, which is particularly favorable to Russian interests, they can then set the sights on their borders. .
Lithuanian Defense Minister Deville Sacarien said on Thursday that Europe faces “two very obvious options.” It would be a fatal trap. Or, as Europe, we embrace our own economic, financial and military capabilities. ”
European boots on the ground?
Some people argue that Europe has meaningful opportunities to reflect on its influence. Camille Grand, a fellow of the European Council of Foreign Relations, said that European countries have “number of cards” to play in this respect.
“(Europeans) provide a large amount of financial aid to Ukraine,” Grand said, pointing to Ukraine’s path to participation in the European Union. “The reconstruction of Ukraine is likely to be primarily funded by Europe,” he explained from a bystander at the Munich Security Council.
The US has said instead that “European and non-European military” should be ground supporters of future security guarantees, with the public exception of deploying its own troops in future Ukrainian peacekeeping missions.
Importantly, Hegses said that such peacekeeping forces in Ukraine should not be protected by NATO Article 5 Group Defence Pledge, as they should not be considered part of the NATO mission.
Researcher Kamille Grand believes it will give Europe an opportunity.
“The US is asking Europe to provide security assurances in the form of European ‘ground boots’. These are all important elements of acceptable transactions for Ukraine and European security. ”
“Europeans need to be clear that they are ready to play the proposed role,” he said.
Edited by Marensus
