German media: EU foreign chief urges NATO to be "more European" - NATO Secretary-General advises Europe to "think carefully"

EU's foreign policy chief, Karas, recently stated that Trump has undermined the foundations of the transatlantic partnership, so Europe must increase its defense spending and play a greater role in NATO. Previously, NATO Secretary-General Rüdiger made a completely different statement, saying that if Europe believes it can defend itself without the United States, it is "dreaming."

The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Karas, said on Wednesday, January 28, that relations between Europe and the United States have changed since Trump returned to the White House.

"I want to make it clear: We hope to maintain a strong transatlantic partnership. The US remains a partner and ally of Europe. But Europe also needs to adapt to the new reality. Europe is no longer the main focus of Washington," Karas said at a defense conference in Brussels. Karas, who was once the Prime Minister of Estonia, has been a leading figure in the EU's support for Ukraine.

"The risk of the world returning to power politics is becoming very real."

"This shift has been ongoing for some time. It is structural, not temporary. This means Europe must take action," Karas said, stating that Europe cannot rely solely on the United States on such critical issues as defense. "Historically, no great power has ever outsourced its survival issues and ultimately survived."

The EU's foreign policy chief stated that NATO remains the cornerstone of European security. She said the EU should complement NATO and believes Europe needs to play a greater role. "Especially when the US turns its attention to regions outside Europe, NATO needs to become more European to maintain its strength," Karas said.

She also said, "The risk of the world returning to power politics, spheres of influence, and might makes right is becoming very real."

Trump's threat to seize Greenland shocked European allies

Recently, Trump threatened to take Greenland from Denmark, a NATO and EU member state. Although Trump now seems to have abandoned this plan, his move still shocked European allies.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, European countries have significantly increased their defense budgets. Under pressure from Trump - the current US president demanding that European allies take more responsibility for conventional defense in Europe - the NATO countries in Europe agreed last year to further increase their defense spending targets. The EU also launched a series of initiatives last year that could encourage member states to increase defense spending.

NATO Secretary-General advises Europe to think carefully

Before Karas made these remarks, NATO Secretary-General Rüdiger told EU lawmakers that if they believed Europe could defend itself without the United States, they were "still dreaming."

Rüdiger spoke at the European Parliament on Monday, January 26, stating that if the EU wanted to replace the US nuclear umbrella, it would have to double its defense spending targets.

Additionally, the NATO Secretary-General warned that if Europe tried to establish its own army to replace the US in NATO, it would be exactly what Russian President Putin would welcome.

"Putin would be delighted. So, think carefully before acting," Rüdiger said.

Source: DW

Original: toutiao.com/article/1855579326231564/

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