Fewer US weapons for Nato: can Europe defend itself?
According to a media report, the US is planning a major reduction of its military contributions to NATO. German magazine Der Spiegel reports that Washington intends to provide far fewer key resources such as fighter jets, warships, drones and refuelling aircraft. Commentators are alarmed, and try to gauge how well prepared Europe is to defend itself right now.
Moment of truth
Europe's defence strategy is now being put to the test, writes Obozrevatel:
“A certain 'silent panic' can currently be observed in Europe – gradual changes were expected, whereas the proposed scenario has turned out to be far more radical. In particular, countries with strong welfare states – which have already grown very weary of the war in Ukraine and had assumed that the US would come to their rescue in an emergency – stubbornly refuse to understand: with Trump, a 'moment of truth' has suddenly arrived. It remains unclear how and with what means they intend to defend the small Baltic states in an emergency.”
Buy new equipment now
Eerik-Niiles Kross, a member of parliament for the ruling Liberal Reform Party, expresses concern in Postimees about the security of the Baltic states:
“Such a shift would have a particularly negative impact on deterrence on Nato's eastern flank. Essentially, the US is saying that in future it no longer wishes to participate in that part of the Nato defence plan which provides for long-range strikes aimed at targets deep inside Russian territory should Russia cross the border of a Nato state. ... Russia possesses strike capabilities directed towards Europe, the US is reducing its contribution as pledged in Nato plans, and Europe's own conventional capabilities beyond the 2,000- kilometre range are still under development. The quickest solution for Europe would be not to wait for the ideal European missile, but to purchase and produce interim solutions immediately.”
New balance of power emerging
Could this be the birth of a new Nato under German leadership? La Repubblica asks:
“The political map of Europe is changing rapidly, driven by two parallel and intersecting factors: the withdrawal of Donald Trump's US and pressure from Vladimir Putin's Russia. The effect is the emergence of new balances and power dynamics in a bid to strengthen the continent's defence without relying on the US. This scenario is underscored by the growing role of the armed forces of Germany, which is reasserting itself not only as an economic power but also as a military one. … Diplomatic circles confirm that the reduction of weapons sought by the White House will be 'drastic'.”
Xi and Putin shouldn't get too cocky
The Chinese and Russian leaders may see this as an opportune moment to further weaken the West, but they could be mistaken, comments Új Szó:
“Putin could deal Nato a blow even before the results of the US mid-terms are known. He is betting that Trump won't come to Europe's aid. ... Nor can Xi know for certain when Western resources will be freed up again in the Middle East and Ukraine. At any rate, they are tied up for now. ... This is why it's risky if these two leaders encourage one another to believe that now is the time to go after the West. But just as they completely misjudged the reaction this would trigger regarding Ukraine, the same would be true in this case, too.”
Seeking a new kind of European Union
HuffPost Greece analyses the situation:
“The key question is not whether Europe should rearm. That process has already begun. So the real European dilemma is not just about levels of defence spending or strengthening military power. The question is whether the European Union is prepared to transform itself into a new kind of democratic political union – a power capable of combining economic, technological, diplomatic and strategic strength while defending the fundamental values of democracy, the rule of law and individual freedoms in an unpredictable and unstable world.”