Dutch General Skeptically Evaluates Trump’s Statements on NATO
US President Donald Trump’s statements regarding NATO are “foolish,” as they undermine the authority of the Alliance and the deterrence of Russia.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing an interview with the Commander of the Dutch Army, General Onno Eichelsheim, on Sky News.
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Eichelsheim criticized Trump’s remarks and noted that public doubts about whether the US should be a member of the Alliance severely harm NATO’s unity. At the same time, the general believes that the US will fulfill its obligations to NATO if necessary.
“Our best means of deterrence is an alliance that looks like an alliance. Such statements do not help… But I am fully convinced that they will fulfill Article 5. If we ask them to help us, they will do it,” he said.
The general also agreed that Europe should not rely solely on the US and should invest more in its own security. However, in his opinion, the rearmament and strengthening of European countries will take 5-10 years.
According to Eichelsheim, there is a “window of vulnerability” for NATO. It will occur between 2028 and 2030, when the Alliance will be maximally vulnerable due to the ongoing restructuring of armed forces.
It is then that Russia, theoretically, could take advantage of this. Currently, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is focused on the war in Ukraine, but if a peace agreement is reached, his army could quickly regain strength.
“I have to prepare for the worst… I am not sure that he will not wake up one day like that, because he is unpredictable. He has said many times that he wants to challenge, so we better listen to that and prepare,” he summarized.
Trump is Upset
Recall that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reported that US President Donald Trump is clearly frustrated by the allies’ unwillingness to support military actions against Iran. During a speech in Washington, Rutte stated that NATO is beginning a transformation.
At the same time, it is known that Trump sharply criticized Rutte during a closed meeting at the White House. The reason was Europe’s position regarding the conflict with Iran. This is why the Secretary General made a separate statement in Washington, acknowledging Europe’s excessive dependence on the American military and calling it “an unhealthy co-dependence.”
