The outgoing NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, in his remaining speech Thursday, will warn the United States towards “isolationism” as Donald Trump seeks to return to the White House.
“We have heard voices on both sides of the Atlantic calling for America and Europe to part ways,” he’ll say, based on excerpts of his speech seen by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
“Focusing on short-sighted national interests over long-term cooperation will not serve us well. Isolationism will not keep anyone safe.”
The parting warning comes as Washington’s allies wait to see if former President Trump will win the U.S. presidential election in November. They concern he would loosen Washington’s dedication to NATO.
Trump has mentioned the United States might cease defending NATO members that don’t spend sufficient on protection.
Stoltenberg is about at hand over the reins on the Western army alliance to former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Oct. 1 after a decade on the helm.
During that point he has helped oversee a significant improve in protection spending from European members spurred by stress from Washington and, extra importantly, Russia’s battle on Ukraine.
At the final rely, 23 of NATO’s 32 nations have been set this yr to achieve the alliance’s goal of spending two p.c of their gross home product on protection set again in 2014.
“The good news is that we have delivered on the pledge we made ten years ago,” Stoltenberg will say.
“But the bad news is that this is no longer enough to keep us safe.”
As Moscow’s battle on Ukraine grinds on by means of its third yr, Stoltenberg will insist that NATO allies want to make sure Kyiv can negotiate “from a position of strength” when the time comes to speak.
“Any future peace deal must be backed by strong and sustained military support. Not just pieces of paper.”
NATO’s ties to Russia have been reduce within the wake of the Kremlin’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Stoltenberg will argue that in some unspecified time in the future the alliance must return to dialogue with Moscow on points akin to arms management.
“We have to speak to our neighbors. However difficult it might be. But dialogue only works when it is backed by strong defences.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com