„However, tensions are generally on the rise. These tensions likely stem from the fact that the war in Iran caught Europe and its leaders by surprise, as there had been no prior consultation on the matter. And now, as the situation becomes more complicated and as more countries’ involvement is truly needed, not all states are satisfied with what happened a few weeks ago and feel that their voice was not heard,“ Nausėda told TV3 News on Wednesday.
However, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s statements that the U.S. is seriously considering leaving NATO after the Alliance did not join his war against Iran, the country’s leader asserted that no far-reaching conclusions should be drawn from this rhetoric just yet.
„The rhetoric is certainly strong, and we have heard similar rhetoric in the past. However, when we gathered at NATO summits, that rhetoric was, after all, forgotten, and a constructive mood prevailed. And from all those twists and turns, NATO emerged stronger. Take the Hague summit, for example—there were all sorts of statements leading up to it, but we agreed on 5 per cent (for defence—ELTA). Yes, there was a country that didn’t agree with that,“ explained Nausėda.
Susiję straipsniai
The president described the worst-case scenario as one in which, for example, it might be decided that NATO members who have reached a certain level of defence spending would receive certain privileges within the Alliance, while others would be sidelined.
„The worst-case scenario would be if certain criteria were introduced that began to divide NATO from within—if countries that exceed a certain threshold were granted, as it were, greater privileges, while those that don’t reach 5 percent would be lumped into another category—that would certainly not be good for NATO’s unity, for NATO as a collective defence organisation. That is why I very much hope that a common denominator will be found after all, that the grievances that have accumulated in recent months will be discussed and debated, but that no overly radical conclusions will be drawn from them, and that we will all agree on the 5 per cent target and on strengthening NATO,“ – commented the country’s leader.
„That is my expectation, because there is simply no other way. To start talking now about the collapse of NATO or, what is not much better in my view, NATO substitutes or alternatives, would be very dangerous given the specific geopolitical situation,“ added Nausėda.
U.S. President Donald Trump alarmed NATO allies once again on Wednesday by raising the possibility of withdrawing from the Alliance, calling it a „paper tiger“ and welcoming Russian President Vladimir Putin’s agreement regarding NATO’s alleged ineffectiveness.
It is reported that NATO allies angered Trump by refusing to join the U.S. and Israel in an attack on Iran, and also rejected the president’s calls to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz, vital to global oil trade, which Tehran had effectively closed in retaliation for the military campaign launched against it.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer soon responded to Trump’s remarks, emphasising that Britain is fully committed to NATO.