US-Europe divorce unlikely—absent a new crisis

Growing concerns about the U.S. relationship with NATO allies—fueled by Donald Trump’s overtures to Russia and attacks on Ukraine and Denmark—have spurred European officials to biweekly meetings about replacing American defense goods, according to a European diplomat with knowledge of the discussions. A plan to continue support for Ukraine with vital U.S. weapons that took shape in the final weeks of the last administration was conceived as a way to give Trump an easy political win and continue to support the country fending off invasion. The European Union is a reliable source of critical supplies to the United States, while being the largest buyer of the United States’ natural gas and oil.

Author: Patrick Tucker

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