Trump plans troop shift closer to Russia amid NATO tensions - WSJ
US President Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
The US President Donald Trump administration is considering a plan to penalize NATO countries that, according to Washington, did not support the United States and Israel during the war with Iran, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Essence of proposal
According to WSJ, the proposal envisions redeployment of US troops from NATO member countries that are considered unreliable in the context of the war with Iran to states that supported the US military campaign.
The plan is far from a full US withdrawal from the Alliance (for which Trump does not have legal authority without Congress), but it indicates a growing rift between the Trump administration and European allies.
According to two administration officials, the plan may also envision the closure of a US base in at least one European country, likely in Spain or Germany.
Which countries may be affected
- Spain – the only NATO country that did not commit to spending 5% of GDP on defense, blocked US aircraft involved in the operation against Iran in its airspace.
- Germany – senior officials criticized Trump's war, although Germany is one of the most important hubs for supporting US operations in the Middle East.
- Italy – temporarily blocked the use of an airbase in Sicily.
- France – allowed the use of a base in the south of the country only after guarantees that aircraft not involved in strikes on Iran would land there.
Which countries may benefit
Potential beneficiaries, according to WSJ, are Poland, Romania, Lithuania, and Greece. These countries have some of the highest defense spending in the Alliance and were the first to signal readiness to support an international coalition to patrol the Strait of Hormuz.
Romania quickly allowed the use of its air bases for the US Air Force.
The redeployment of US troops closer to the Russian border may further escalate relations with Moscow.
White House reaction
"It's quite sad that NATO turned its back on the American people over the last six weeks when it's the American people who have been funding their defense," White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said.
She added that Trump plans a "frank and candid conversation" with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who arrived in Washington on Wednesday.
Trump himself said on Monday that he is "very disappointed" with NATO, and their unwillingness to support the US in the war with Iran is "a mark on NATO that will never disappear." He also wrote on Truth Social that member countries "have done absolutely nothing to help."
Recently, Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO after allies refused to send military ships to the Strait of Hormuz to unblock it. The American leader repeatedly called the Alliance a "paper tiger" and accused partners of cowardice.
According to him, if the US leaves NATO, Vladimir Putin will no longer fear the organization. Trump warned that he is seriously considering the possibility of withdrawal, since America is capable of dealing with all threats on its own.
In response, French President Emmanuel Macron advised his American counterpart to talk less, noting that such statements call into question US commitments to the Alliance.
