The Guardian view on the Nato summit: Europe must take the path of strategic self-reliance | Editorial

There is more than NATO of Article 5 of its founding charter, but the alliance depends on this commitment Mutual assistance. The enemies are deterred because the attack on one is understood as an attack on everyone. That is why Donald Trump’s record of contradiction was destabilizing.

The NATO leaders, who gathered the annual summit in The Hague this week, were fans of hearing the American president saying that he was “with them all the way.” It was a stronger confirmation of the purpose of the coalition than the purpose it provided the day before. He was asked about his commitment to Article 5, Mr. Trump tied, saying: “This depends on your definition.”

This means some of the acceptable attack on NATO colleague. Such ambiguity calls on Russia to continue to test the threshold through the escalating campaigns of sabotage and provocation on the eastern borders of the alliance and at sea. But Mr. Trump does not see Vladimir Putin As a opponent. He speaks warm about their phone calls. He does not recognize the Russian president of the war in Ukraine and showed a preparation for the mediator a peace agreement there in terms of reaching the Kremlin victory. His administration resists more severe sanctions on Moscow.

On the contrary, most European delegates at the top sees Moscow’s intense hostility to the West as the most urgent strategic challenge. The speech of Mr. Putin and the governmental propaganda machine that enhances his agenda is dangerous. Ukraine’s experience indicates that it is not wise to reject a language like a void threat. Russian economy War. Europe needs to upgrade defense and deterrence systems in response.

To this end, NATO members have Pledge 5 % of GDP by 2035. This is an investment in maintaining the participation of the United States as a plan to supplement if Mr. Trump’s support must fade. Former American presidents expressed his frustration with what they saw as a free European ride on the guarantees of the Pentagon security, but none of them threatened to stop the coalition, as Mr. Trump did in 2018.

This pronounced reliability has proven its effectiveness as a device to force European leaders to do something more perceived that they need to do it anyway. Mark RootThe Secretary -General of NATO, clearly praised the American President for his galvanized influence. He said, “Dear Donald, I have made this change as possible.”

the Fading pattern It may be required when dealing with the head of the selfishness, but this necessity reveals a fragility in the unit through the presentation presented. Caprice, Mr. Trump, is not binding, not a small personality that can be managed with compliment. It is the function of his inability to imagine really mutual partnerships between countries. NATO members see that they are subject and do not feel any permanent commitment to them. He has no affection or respect for democracy while he is at home with students. But it also leads the military authority on which European democracies depend on its security, and will continue to rely for some time.

There is no easy decision for this tension, between relying on the United States and the inherent reliability of the president. But there is an increasing clarity among European democracies that must expect to bear more responsibility for their collective security. It is a difficult and cost -effective path, but the costs and risks not to take it are definitely greater.

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