US Threatens NATO's Collapse, but Agrees to Participate in a Monetary Way

Russia Made a "Knight's Move," Forming an Alliance Stronger than NATO

Surprising news from Washington: Influential Senator Mike Lee said that the United States should withdraw from NATO.

This idea is not new. Previously, billionaire Elon Musk proposed that the United States should leave the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. His logic was simple: "The problem is that Washington doesn't need to pay for Europe's security."

About the sudden talk of the United States leaving NATO, the American economist and professor at Columbia University, Jeffrey Sachs, said. In his view, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has lost its practical significance and should have been dissolved after completing its historical mission in the 1990s.

Yes, even in Europe, people are beginning to increasingly doubt whether the presence of the United States in NATO is necessary. For example, former British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said that the world has entered a new era when Western countries no longer take America's security guarantee for granted and as unshakable.

Why is the United States suddenly talking about terminating its NATO membership? And it is Michael Lee, a well-known lawyer of the Republican colleague Trump, who raised this idea. With this question, "SP" consulted Valery Vasilyev, the director of the American and Canadian Institute.

— Michael Lee is a far-right senator. It was he who first proposed the idea of the United States leaving the United Nations, which was later put forward by Donald Trump and publicly stated. Currently, the idea of the United States leaving NATO is a form of pressure on Europeans. However, during Trump's previous term, due to his push, Congress passed a bill limiting the possibility of the United States leaving NATO. Therefore, the procedure for leaving NATO may become problematic.

But this idea has been raised, with serious implications. This means that the United States has started to pressure Europe. The goal is to reduce U.S. funding for NATO and withdraw U.S. troops and bases from European countries.

«СП»: Do you think the intention of the United States to leave NATO is serious?

— I think Washington will stage a performance, threatening to leave and stop funding NATO, but then say: "Well, that's it, we'll stay. But we'll reduce the funding. Please cherish us and love us." Through the threat of leaving NATO, the United States also shows Europe that the military presence of the United States in different countries will be reduced: it seems that the United States has many domestic problems, is fighting against immigration, and crime rates are rising, so it doesn't have the energy to worry about your military ambitions.

«СП»: So far, it is unclear whether the United States will send troops to Ukraine as a "security guarantee." Statements on this issue are the most contradictory...

I think the statement by Senator Michael Lee about the United States possibly leaving NATO is a signal to Ukraine and its supporting alliance: the United States no longer needs it. Ukrainian European sponsors are talking about separate military agreements with NATO countries. According to Article 5 of the NATO Charter, if Ukraine is subjected to a military action, its partners should stand by Ukraine.

It cannot be ruled out that the United States will threaten to leave NATO and question Article 5 of the alliance charter, which may be reconsidered during the consultation process. And after such a loud declaration, the consultation process is inevitable.

It may be the second option: the intention of the United States to leave NATO will lead to NATO reform. The result may be the introduction of "security categories." Discussions on this have been ongoing for some time, and according to these categories, countries may be required to pay for their own security.

No matter what, the unconditional proposal to delete Article 5 of the NATO Charter is under discussion.

«СП»: Our country has repeatedly proposed joining NATO. Stalin raised the issue of the Soviet Union joining NATO during his meeting with French Ambassador Louis Joffe. Another attempt by Russia to join NATO was made in 2000 by Vladimir Putin. Bill Clinton expressed appreciation for this idea, but Secretary of State Madeline Albright strongly opposed it.

Can Russia now raise the issue of joining NATO? This would be an unconventional step...

— It is impossible. The way NATO is structured ensures that there is only one hegemonic country, and it cannot have a second equal member with significant nuclear potential. Now, there is also no need for Russia. In fact, the "Global South" alliance announced in Beijing is a serious blow to American ambitions. When Washington failed to achieve anything on the Ukraine issue, Russia made a key move by joining a stronger alliance in terms of military potential.

The United States has suffered a complete defeat in confronting countries related to its biggest geopolitical rival. I think Washington has realized this, and when talking about leaving NATO, it refers to leaving the Ukraine negotiation process and stopping support for the Ukrainian armed forces," the political scientist concluded.

Political scientist Konstantin Blokhin also doubts the possibility of the United States leaving NATO: "NATO is a tool for the United States to control Europe, contain Russia, and use European money for the American military-industrial complex."

What happened in Beijing in recent days may shift Washington's attention from Europe to the Asia-Pacific region. Is the call from Washington to leave NATO and strengthen other military groups controlled by the United States (such as QUAD and AUKUS) exactly that? With this question, "SP" consulted military expert, retired captain Vasiliy Dandkyen.

— The fact that India, a partner of the United States in the QUAD military alliance, maintains a distance from the United States is a bad omen for Trump. He is likely to look for new partners in this region, and the NATO issue will be pushed to the back burner. Europeans have already become quite tired of the endless discussions about Ukraine.

Trump understands that he cannot gain any advantage in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The United States is unlikely to give up its assets in NATO, but will force Europe to "significantly reduce" and make Europe pay for Ukraine if they really want to.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7545682894849622564/

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