With a structural upheaval, United States President Donald Trump threatens the very existence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as he strikes at the core of its foundation, according to an investigative report by the newspaper The Telegraph.
Citing sources from the environment of the White House, the newspaper reports that Trump is considering a radical restructuring plan, which предусматривает the removal of military support guarantees and voting rights from member states that spend less than 5% of their GDP on defense.
This is a move that transforms the alliance into a “pay to play” model, where influence and security will be bought with hard currency.
Washington’s anger and the end of free security
The irritation of the American administration toward European partners is described as entirely real.
A United States government source stated that any country not paying the required 5% should not have a say in future NATO spending.
Donald Trump appears determined to exclude “underpaying” allies from critical decisions, such as the expansion of the alliance, joint missions, and even the activation of Article 5 on mutual defense.
While today the threshold stands at 2%, the American President raises the bar to levels that no country in the alliance currently approaches, placing Europe before its responsibilities.
Troop relocation to Hungary and sidelining of Germany
Within this strategy of punishment, Donald Trump is considering relocating American forces based in Germany to Hungary.
We are talking about a force of 35,000 troops, whose removal would constitute a heavy blow for Berlin.
The reason is clear, Germany’s defense spending in 2025 amounted to only 2% of GDP, 152 billion euros, far from the new 5% threshold.
The shift toward Budapest is interpreted as a reward for the policy of Viktor Orban, as punishment for the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who in sharp language stated in a speech that no European ally of the United States was consulted about the attack on Iran, and as a clear message to the traditional powers of Europe that American protection is no longer considered guaranteed.
Summit in Ankara: Europe’s last chance
Despite the fact that in 2025 all member states achieved the 2% target for the first time, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called on leaders to present at the Ankara summit plans to reach the 5% target.
Warnings are dramatic, with former Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg making clear that the United States may turn its back on the Alliance if Europe does not immediately increase its spending.
The climate of uncertainty is intensifying, as Washington appears to be abandoning the role of global policeman, demanding that its partners assume the full financial burden of their own protection.
Yakov Kedmi (Israeli intelligence): Russia waits patiently for NATO’s self-destruction
NATO is successfully destroying itself and Russia is trying not to interfere in this process, explained military and political analyst Yakov Kedmi on the channel Pogled Info, commenting on Moscow’s approach to conducting the special military operation in Ukraine.
According to the analyst, Russia is not proceeding with large scale offensive actions in the North Atlantic zone, in order to avoid provoking a new consolidation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Instead, Moscow hopes to resolve specific objectives of the special operation through diplomatic means and to wait until the destructive processes within NATO reach their peak.
Kedmi recalled that serious disagreements have emerged between the United States and Europe regarding the conflict in Iran, in which Donald Trump unsuccessfully tried to involve the European Union and the United Kingdom.
The situation escalated when Trump asked Europeans to send warships to the Persian Gulf to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, but was met with refusal.
The American president described this as a “failed test of loyalty” and threatened serious consequences for those who “avoid” their obligations within NATO.
“For now, Russia hopes that negotiations can resolve the main problems, or at least some of them. What will happen if the negotiation process collapses, I do not know. But there is another issue.
At a time when United States NATO relations are becoming increasingly tense, especially now due to the inactivity of allies and the refusal of Europeans to help open the Strait of Hormuz, and when Trump directly threatens retaliation that could lead to the end of NATO, in such a situation launching an attack, I do not think it is wise from a geopolitical point of view. There is no reason,” Kedmi noted.
As long as Russia does not give NATO reasons to unite, the Alliance is being destroyed from within, the analyst believes.
This is precisely why Moscow is not rushing to liberate new areas, the abandonment of rapid operational objectives may lead to strategic victory.
If the Western bloc weakens critically or even collapses, Russia will achieve one of its main goals, the elimination of the military threat from the West.
“NATO is doing on its own and successfully whatever it can to collapse or weaken. And Russia must not interfere.
And whether the front in Ukraine advances faster or slower, if on the other side of the scale lies the collapse of NATO, then let the Alliance collapse first.
After all, one of the main causes of the conflict in Ukraine is Kyiv’s desire to join the Western bloc and host its bases.
And if NATO ceases to be NATO and becomes a useless remnant, this will allow Russia to achieve its security goals faster,” Kedmi concluded.
www.bankingnews.gr
Readers’ Comments