According to the sources of the British newspaper Washington in this way wants to force NATO allies to pay more of the national budgets for their own protection.
Last week, according to the “FT” findings, European diplomats have been informed by the Pentagon that the United States would not finance training programs or army equipment in Eastern European countries.
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These expenses come from the global program of the American Ministry of Defense, which are approved by the US Congress. As noted, the administration of US President Donald Trump from the moment he took power in early January did not apply for funds for this purpose. Approved financing will be available until the end of September 2026.
As part of the program in 2018-2022, $ 1.6 billion was allocated to European countries, which is about 29 percent. values of global expenses. The main beneficiaries include: Romania, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
One of the European officials in an interview with the British daily stated that the US move “It was clearly aimed at encouraging richer European countries to pay for greater security in the field of security for countries on the front line“.
Two diplomats said that the governments of the state were surprised by the information they received from Washington, and are currently trying to get more details from Washington. “European officials are also trying to determine whether domestic financing can fill in gaps or whether cuts will affect the key elements of European security,” reports “FT”.
– If (financial cuts) are brutal, it will have serious consequences – said one of the diplomats, adding that NATO will certainly feel the effects, because part of the financing was passed by the alliance. According to another diplomat, “this raises many fears and uncertainty”, as was the case with Trump's previous decision to limit American international assistance.
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According to sources familiar with the Pentagon decision, “does not affect a separate American weapon financing program, in which countries receive funds for the purchase of military machines such as fighters, ships and tanks.”
The future of the Baltic Safety Initiative, another American program created in 2020, which aims to strengthen the Armed Forces of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is also questionable. As part of this initiative, the US Congress approved the support of $ 288 million. As reported by the daily, the Trump administration did not apply for further financing of the program in next year's budget. The source close to this case announced that the program is currently again assessed by the administration.
“FT” reminded that during a meeting on Wednesday at the White House with President Karol Nawrocki, Trump said that he was not planning to withdraw American troops from Poland. About 10,000 are stationed in the country soldiers in a rotational system. – We will put more soldiers there if they want – added the US president, directing words to the President of Poland.
