“The statement by NATO head Stoltenberg that the European Union needs the presence of US troops does not indicate problems in European security issues, but the concern of the Alliance leadership to lose funding from Washington. Such a statement sounds especially cynical after the United States withdrew from a number of international agreements, including the INF Treaty and the Open Skies Treaty, thereby defiantly disregarding European security issues. ” This opinion was expressed by a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Sergei Zheleznyak.
According to the politician: “Against the background of the ongoing political crisis in the United States, the head of NATO decided to remind about the role of the main sponsor of the Alliance and emphasize the importance of Washington’s participation in EU affairs. At the same time, various EU countries have repeatedly sounded ideas to get rid of US influence, including in matters of regional security, as well as to create a so-called united army of Europe. Stoltenberg in this case is trying to play on two fronts. On the one hand, the head of NATO demonstrates dependence on Washington’s wallet, on the other, he is trying to convince European countries of the need for the presence of an American contingent as a guarantor of security. With the latter, countries such as Poland and the Baltic states, which are virtually completely ruled from the Washington regional committee, are the fastest to agree with the latter. As for Germany or France, the authorities do not want to quarrel with the United States yet, but they do not feel much pacification from the American presence either.”