Frightening reality of how NATO would face Putin WITHOUT £3.8TN US military might amid fears of Trump withdrawal
A former army commander warned that the US ditching its NATO allies would be “the worst possible scenario” and would “encourage Vladimir Putin to push into Europe”.
If Donald Trump edges closer to grabbing the keys back from the White HouseIt is feared that he could make good on his threat to… United States from the alliance.
6
6
6
The weakening of NATO is one of Putin‘s greatest desires as the beastly union of the USA, Europe And Canada deterred the Soviet Union and Russian aggression for seven decades.
But Trump – who led the US from 2017 to 2021 – could be ready for a breathtaking return to one of the most powerful positions in the world in just nine months.
It has fueled fears that the US could leave NATO, leaving Europe reeling without its military power and assets worth $3.8 trillion.
The European countries in NATO have agreed to spend 2 percent of GDP on defense every year.
But in 2018, when Trump was still president, he became so angry over several countries’ failure to meet quotas that he threatened to withdraw from NATO.
Trump threatened to wash his hands of the White House to defend Europe if his own nations cannot pay for his defense.
Days before the chaotic summit in the summer of 2018, the 77-year-old Trump confided to his top national security officials that he did not see the point of the alliance.
He immediately started arguing at the meeting in Brussels, accusing a close US ally of being “a prisoner of Russia”.
Republicans also called member states “delinquents” in defense spending and demanded they increase it immediately.
Several countries failed to meet the 2 percent quota during Trump’s term — and continue to do so.
According to statistics published by NATO, US military spending amounted to 3.49 percent of GDP in 2023.
Great Britain submitted 2.07 percent, but Germany, France, Italy and Spain fell just short of the agreed 2 percent.
And Trump’s stance on NATO has not softened since his presidency.
In chilling remarks earlier this month, the former US leader said he would “encourage” aggressors to “do whatever they want” against NATO allies who don’t pay their bills.
At a rally in South Carolina, Trump revealed how he told a leader he would refuse to protect a country in arrears.
“Well sir, if we don’t pay and we are attacked by Russia, will you protect us?” Trump quoted the unnamed leader.
“I said, ‘You haven’t paid? Are you delinquent?’ He said, ‘Yes, let’s say that happened.’ No, I wouldn’t protect you. In fact, I would encourage them (Russia) to do whatever they want. You have to pay,” Trump said.
It has reignited fears that Trump could try to rip the US out of the alliance if he returns to power.
‘WORST SCENARIO’
Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon told The Sun that Britain and its allies would be forced to “rearm at pace” if this happened.
He said: “Without the US, NATO is very much weakened, even if the arrival of Finland and Sweden is a small compensation.”
The Bretton-Gordon warned that it could even prompt Putin to expand his invasion and force Britain to send troops to Ukraine to hold off a Russian attack.
He added: ‘But the message it would send to Putin is terrible and would embolden Putin to push harder in Ukraine and ultimately Europe.
‘At least Britain and France still have the nuclear deterrent that will give Putin food for thought.
“If this scenario seems likely, the UK and other European NATO countries will need to rearm quickly and I expect they will be prepared to take action in Ukraine to stop Russia’s westward advance.
“This is the worst possible scenario at this point.”
Without the US, NATO would suffocate amid the loss of a huge contribution.
The alliance’s annual budget and programs are approximately £2.7 billion, with costs shared.
Between 2021 and 2024, the US was among the top two contributors, contributing just over 16 percent.
What is NATO?
THE North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a political and military alliance of countries from North America and Europe.
It was founded in 1949 to counter the Soviet Union as tensions rose during the Cold War.
One of the articles in the found treaty is the principle of collective defense – the idea that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all of them.
NATO makes decisions by consensus, but the political and military strength of the United States means it is by far the most powerful country in the alliance.
The nuclear arsenal is seen as the ultimate security guarantee.
NATO has 31 members, most of which are European countries, plus the United States and Canada.
The newest member is Finland, which joined last April in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Sweden has applied to join together with Finland, but is waiting for Hungary to ratify its application as the last major step before membership.
The US also has about 85,000 troops across Europe, some of whom support non-NATO operations.
And the US defense budget dwarfs every other country in the world.
Last year, America had set aside a whopping $905.5 billion for defense, putting it in the lead with a whopping $700 billion.
Russia came in third with $108 billion, while Britain lagged behind with $73 billion.
France, Germany, Italy and Canada were the only other NATO countries in the top fifteen, according to statistics from the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Following Trump’s latest disparaging comments earlier this month, the White House immediately labeled them “terrible and unhinged.”
A spokesperson said it “encouraged invasions of our closest allies by murderous regimes.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also hit back at Trump, saying the US leaving NATO would also endanger its own troops.
He said: “Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all our security, including that of the US, and puts American and European soldiers in greater danger.”
It comes after the Assistant Chief of Staff of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Brigadier General Gunnar Bruegner warned that the “clock is ticking” earlier this month.
Without mentioning Russia by name, he said NATO must prove that it is “ready” for any threat to its security.
His sobering words came amid a wave of recent warnings from top military chiefs and policymakers about the threat of large-scale war with Russia the coming years.
6
6
6