EU eyes backup alliances with Ukraine in case of NATO crisis — Politico
Photo: The EU is looking for an alternative to NATO in case the US withdraws (Getty Images)
While US President Donald Trump threatens to withdraw from NATO, European countries are exploring alternatives, and Ukraine is already part of one of them, according to Politico.
NATO under pressure
After Trump called the alliance a paper tiger and promised to review US membership in NATO, Europe began openly discussing alternatives.
"It's pretty clear NATO is already falling apart," says one EU official. He adds that Europe must urgently strengthen its own defense.
"We can’t wait for it to be completely dead," the official says.
What being considered
European officials are increasingly talking about strengthening alternative security structures. In particular, two formats are attracting attention:
- JEF. The Joint Expeditionary Force led by the UK. This is a rapid-response group for Northern European countries. It operates even where NATO’s Article 5 does not apply. Ukraine has already joined an enhanced partnership agreement with JEF.
- Nordefco. Northern defense cooperation between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
"I’m not speculating that Article 5 is not working," says Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen. "It’s working."
But if the situation changes, there are alternatives. According to one official, Canada may also join the JEF at some point.
EU isn’t standing on sidelines either
Brussels has allocated 150 billion euros in defense loans to member states. At the same time, Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty, the clause on mutual defense, is being examined. A new economic security plan is expected to be unveiled as early as this summer.
Meanwhile, NATO allies are in no hurry to take Trump’s threats literally.
Despite the harsh rhetoric, most analysts consider a complete US withdrawal from the alliance unlikely, but the very fact of these threats is already changing the dynamics within the bloc.
Trump has also used the suspension of supplies as leverage against Europe.
The issue of the US leaving NATO has resurfaced after the Trump administration announced a possible review of membership. RBC-Ukraine has previously analyzed in detail what this means in practice and what the possible scenarios are.
