In 75 years, NATO has experienced many crises and endured many political disputes. At the moment, those celebrating their anniversary are trying to maintain unity in supporting Ukraine, which is being attacked by Russia. The US is not paying at the moment because Congress has not passed relevant legislation. There is skepticism in some NATO countries as to whether Ukraine can really defeat Russia. The Baltic states are pushing for more help. There are always mutual accusations that weapons are not being delivered quickly and comprehensively enough.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg certainly sees the disputes, but in the past decades the alliance has repeatedly pulled itself together. “Despite these differences, we have always been able to reach agreement among ourselves on the core task of protecting and defending ourselves,” said Jens Stoltenberg in an interview with Deutsche Welle after the foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
Persuading the most important ally: Secretary General Stoltenberg, US Secretary of State Blinken in Brussels Image: Johanna Geron/Reuters/AP/picture alliance
“USA stronger with NATO than without”
Even if the radical Republican Donald Trump were to win the White House again in the US elections in the fall, the US would remain a steadfast NATO member, the Secretary General assured. “Because that is in the security interests of the USA. The USA is stronger with NATO than without it,” said Jens Stoltenberg. Donald Trump’s criticism was not directed against NATO as an alliance, but rather against defaulting individual NATO members. Defense spending has now increased.
“The plan now is for all NATO members, including the US, to make the necessary decisions to solidify their support for Ukraine.” The majority in the US Parliament and the population are actually there for that. It still needs to be organized properly.
Birthday cake for NATO employees: British Foreign Minister Cameron at the cake serverImage: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images
The NATO Secretary General from Norway, who is leaving in the autumn, sees the situation of NATO on its 75th founding day as positive. “NATO is the strongest and most successful alliance in history for two reasons: Because we are united in protecting each other. Because we have always been able to adapt as the world changes,” Stoltenberg told DW at NATO headquarters . Russia is now the number one threat. We will act accordingly.
Ukraine asks for more air defense
“I don’t want to spoil the party,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at NATO’s anniversary meeting in Brussels. He came to demand more vital air defense from the 75-year-old alliance. “Saving Ukrainian lives, the economy and cities depends on the presence of Patriot and other air defense systems in Ukraine. We are talking about Patriots because they are the only system capable of intercepting ballistic missiles,” said Dmytro Kuleba.
It is unclear whether the Ukrainian foreign minister can take home concrete promises. In any case, there was verbal support, for example from German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. She reminded that Ukraine is also being supported in its defensive fight against the aggressor Russia for its own interests. “If Ukraine cannot continue to defend itself, then the Russian war of aggression threatens to move further towards European borders, towards our own NATO border,” warned the German minister (Greens).
Looking for more help against Russia: Foreign Ministers Kuleba (r.) and BaerbockImage: Johanna Geron/AP Photo/picture alliance
The credibility and future of NATO therefore depended on Russia striking back in Ukraine. A war that NATO must win, even if Ukraine is not yet a member and the promise of assistance in Article 5 of the NATO Treaty does not technically apply. This is the analysis of former senior NATO official Jamie Shea in an interview with Deutsche Welle. Hundreds of NATO employees and military personnel from all member states gathered in the huge atrium of the headquarters in Brussels for the birthday celebration.
New 100 billion fund for Ukraine?
Poland is one of the 22 countries that have joined NATO since its founding as a transatlantic bulwark against the Soviet Union in 1949. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said his country could count itself lucky: “We are where we belong. In the company of democracies, surrounded by friends who stand together like a rock,” emphasized Sikorski, referring to the resistance against Russia, which NATO again sees as its main concern after 75 years.
Jens Stoltenberg: Aid for Ukraine must become more reliable and predictableImage: Bernd Riegert/DW
However, one country is opting out. Hungary, which joined the alliance in 1999, today refuses to fully support a common NATO policy against Russia. “This is not our war, this is not NATO’s war,” say Hungarian NATO diplomats, referring to Russia’s attempts to conquer Ukraine. That is why Hungary will refuse to agree to a financing package worth 100 billion euros for Ukraine.
Stoltenberg made this proposal in order to perpetuate military aid to Ukraine. Only a few ministers were really enthusiastic about the proposal because it would require higher financial commitments. NATO would also take on a stronger formal role. Currently, NATO as an organization does not supply weapons or ammunition. The individual member states do this bilaterally with Ukraine.
At the moment, the US is coordinating the efforts of individual NATO member states. It is questionable whether this will continue after the US elections in November. If the radical Republican Trump returns to the White House, the tide among NATO allies would probably change. Trump has already announced that he would not send a cent more to Ukraine. NATO’s 76th birthday next year could be very different from the commemoration event in Brussels today.
The interview was conducted by Alexandra von Nahmen.
Why was NATO founded?
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