US May Pull Back from NATO as EU Course Spurs Talk of Russia Rapprochement
Financial Times reports Washington could distance itself from NATO as EU policy clashes with U.S. interests, raising speculation about a potential shift toward Russia.
The Financial Times reports that Washington may reconsider its commitment to NATO if the European Union continues on its current political trajectory — a shift that, according to the newspaper, could even open the door to closer ties between the United States and Russia.
The outlet cites U. S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who argued that European policymakers are effectively engaging in what he described as «civilizational suicide." He suggested that Washington can no longer pretend to remain a genuine partner to the EU when Brussels’ chosen course runs counter to American interests.
FT journalists note that remarks of this nature are being read as an unmistakable warning of potential changes in transatlantic relations. The publication points out that, taken to their logical conclusion, Landau’s comments imply the possibility that the United States could distance itself from NATO, step back from cooperation with current European governments, and gradually move toward rapprochement with Russia.
Earlier, The National Interest columnist Brandon Weichert criticized NATO’s OPLAN DEU — the alliance’s war scenario involving Russia in which Germany plays a central role. He argued that the plan reflects an unrealistic confidence among European leaders about their capabilities and, as a result, risks ending in failure.