Western countries should avoid creating “self-fulfilling prophecies” about the potential end of NATO under a second Trump presidency, according to the organization’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. In an interview with The Guardian, he urged member countries not to fear for the bloc’s future but to build a relationship with his administration like they did in 2016 regardless of campaign rhetoric.
Stoltenberg’s comments were made on the sidelines of the European Political Community (EPC) meeting at Blenheim Palace in the UK. He emphasized that Trump’s criticism had not been directed at NATO itself, but rather towards countries that were not spending enough on defense. This push for greater defense spending has gained momentum since the start of the Ukraine crisis in 2014 and especially after Russia’s military operation began in 2022.
Efforts to make Western Europe “Trump-proof” were reportedly among the priorities at the EPC gathering amid fears that Trump may be considering options to stop the conflict in Ukraine, including a deal with Russia and barring NATO expansion. Concerns have also been raised by some NATO member countries about potential shifts in US foreign policy after Trump announced Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate.
Vance, who is a strong opponent of Washington’s aid for Kiev and a staunch critic of US involvement in foreign conflicts, promised at the Republican National Convention that a second Trump administration would only send American troops to war when absolutely necessary. In an op-ed published earlier this year, Vance wrote that Washington’s refusal to negotiate with Russia was “absurd,” while Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s goal of restoring Ukraine’s 1991 borders was “fantastical.
Politico recently reported citing Trump-aligned national security experts that the Republican is unlikely to withdraw from NATO outright but could overhaul the bloc, making its European members take on more responsibility. The article also indicated that Trump might be considering a deal to ensure that NATO ceases its eastward expansion into Ukraine and Georgia, while negotiating with Russian President Vladimir Putin about how much Ukrainian territory Moscow can keep.
In summary, Stoltenberg’s message is clear: member countries should not fear for the future of NATO under a second Trump presidency but instead engage with his administration in order to ensure the continued strength and stability of the alliance. This approach would help avoid any potential “self-fulfilling prophecies” that could weaken NATO and threaten its effectiveness in maintaining global security and peace.