Turmoil undresses under the surface while Rubio meets the Foreign Ministers of NATO – Politico

America out of Europe

There is also the question of Washington’s reported plans to start moving troops and weapons systems from Europe to the Indo-Pacific Region. Foreign ministers of the four partners of Asia -Pacific of NATO – Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea – will attend this week’s meeting.

There is even information that Washington could seek to present the role of the Supreme Commander of the Allies Europe, the first military job of the Alliance, to a European – for the first time since the NATO Foundation.

Another irritant is EU’s efforts to stimulate its domestic defense industry with the use of special funds – projects that will probably exclude American weapons, which angry Washington.

The main conversation on the “change of charge” should take place later among the defense ministers, then in June when NATO leaders meet in The Hague. But European capitals always put pressure for more clarity on the rhythm of plans aimed at taking out the assets of Europe.

One of the most urgent problems of Europeans is how to replace so-called catalysts, such as surveillance, recognition and targeting capacities, as well as command and control systems and supply aircraft, which are currently mainly provided by the United States

The German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, hopes to define a roadmap with the United States to anticipate any withdrawal or decrease in American assets and troops in Europe, he told journalists in Paris last month, but has not yet heard from Washington.

Any decision to change loading “must be consulted” in NATO, said a diplomat of the higher EU. “This must happen in such a way that if the Americans reduce their presence in Europe – in any way whatsoever, a form or a form – this happens with a rhythm that we can fill the void.”