Former President and President-elect Donald Trump sent shockwaves through the NATO alliance Sunday, threatening to withdraw US forces from the organization in what experts are calling a potential seismic shift in global security dynamics.
"The treatment of the United States has been unfair," Trump declared, doubling down on his long-standing criticisms of the alliance's burden-sharing arrangements. The comments come at a critical moment as NATO faces unprecedented challenges in Eastern Europe.
Several European NATO members are reportedly holding emergency consultations in response to Trump's statements. Pentagon officials declined to comment on Trump's remarks, referring questions to the transition team.
The timing of Trump's threat has alarmed security experts, coming just two weeks after Bruno Kahl, Germany's intelligence chief, warned of an increased likelihood of direct NATO-Russia confrontation. This risk assessment followed NATO's approval for Ukraine to use long-range missiles against targets within Russia.
A U.S. withdrawal from NATO would represent a significant victory for Russia, potentially undermining decades of Western military cooperation and deterrence strategy. The suggestion alone has raised serious concerns among military analysts about the future of European security.
The threat of a US withdrawal comes amid escalating tensions between NATO and Russia. Earlier this month, NATO approved Ukraine's use of long-range missiles for strikes deep within Russian territory, a move that German intelligence officials warn could trigger Article 5 considerations.
Article 5, NATO's collective defense clause, has only been invoked once in the alliance's history – after the September 11 attacks. Recent Russian actions in Europe have raised concerns about potential scenarios that could trigger its activation, requiring all NATO members to respond collectively to an attack on any member state.
Any U.S. withdrawal from NATO would represent a fundamental restructuring of the global security architecture that has maintained stability in Europe since World War II. Such a move would have far-reaching implications for international security and the balance of power in Europe.
Trump's transition team is expected to provide additional details about his NATO stance in the coming days. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is expected to address these comments at a press conference tomorrow.
Several NATO members are reportedly preparing contingency plans in response to the possibility of U.S. withdrawal.
Channel 14 contributed to this article.
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