NATO turns 75, overshadowed by the Russia-Ukraine war and Trump
(Baonghean.vn) - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on the US to stick with Europe, as the Western military alliance enters its 75th year on April 4.
Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022 has energized NATO as it faces one of its most serious challenges since it emerged from the ashes of World War II to fight the Soviet Union. The alliance has built up its forces across Eastern Europe and grown to 32 members after Finland and Sweden joined. But while the war has forced NATO to focus its attention on its old enemy Moscow in the east - there is another threat that worries allies in the west. That is the potential return to the White House of former US President Donald Trump, who undermined NATO's collective defence guarantee by saying he would encourage Russia to attack any member that did not spend enough on defence.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of NATO's founding at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Mr. Stoltenberg emphasized: "I do not believe in America alone, just as I do not believe in Europe alone. I believe that America and Europe together in NATO, because fundamentally, together we are stronger and safer."
In an effort to blunt Mr Trump’s criticism, NATO pointed to its European allies increasing their spending – with 20 members this year aiming to spend 2% of GDP on defence. “North America also needs Europe,” Mr Stoltenberg said. “Through NATO, the United States has more friends and more allies than any other power.”
While Trump’s announcement raises concerns about the future of the alliance, NATO countries face the more pressing challenge of ensuring Ukraine does not lose out in pushing back against Russia. Alliance members have backed Kiev, which is seeking to join NATO, by sending tens of billions of dollars in weapons. But those supplies have now dwindled as crucial US support remains hampered by political disagreements. On the front lines, Ukraine’s under-armed forces have been left in a vulnerable position. Faced with Russian missile attacks on its infrastructure, Ukraine is pleading with Western countries to send all the Patriot defense systems it can spare.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said: "While we are celebrating… Ukraine is in trouble. We must quickly support Ukraine. Military support, ammunition as well as air defense."
Stoltenberg, meanwhile, has proposed a five-year fund worth 100 billion euros ($108 billion) to ensure long-term support for Kiev. He is also pushing for NATO to become more directly involved in coordinating the movement of supplies, something the alliance has so far refused to do out of concern that it could drag NATO closer to war with Russia.
Officials said a pressing part of the plan is to try to protect support for Ukraine in the face of a possible Trump return. But questions remain about how the funding will work, and the allies will seek to iron out the details at a summit in Washington in July.
