Europe remains an important partner for the US, but there is also a certain distance from Europe itself, says Gen. Roman Polko to PAP about the US Security Strategy. He added that Poland should conclude that we should increase our share in global GDP within the EU, because then we will be a more important partner for the US.
On Friday, the new United States National Security Strategy was published, which sets the priorities of US foreign and security policy. It highlighted:
- “restoring conditions of stability in Europe and strategic stability (in relations) with Russia”,
- European states taking primary responsibility for their own defense,
- “lack of domination by any hostile power”, “improvement” of the current political course of the continent,
- “ending the perception of NATO as an ever-expanding alliance.”
On the same day, the National Security Bureau published a synthetic note on the new Strategy prepared by the Bureau's analysts. It indicates that the American document announces a “fundamental reconstruction of the United States' approach to the world.” The National Security Bureau emphasized that the US has redefined its national interest, shifting “the emphasis from global engagement to protecting sovereignty, rebuilding internal strength and focusing on great power competition – primarily with China.” According to the Bureau's analysts, the Strategy has far-reaching consequences for Europe and Poland. As concluded, the document, among others, increases the strategic importance of the part of Europe in which Poland is located, “opens new opportunities for Poland, but also forces greater defense independence.”
Poland is part of Europe, and Poland alone without Europe is unable to ensure or guarantee security. This is why we have integrated in the European Union and we strive to integrate our efforts within the European members of the NATO Alliance, the Baltic and Scandinavian countries, and Romania. They are the most harmful to Russian aggression, former GROM commander Gen. Roman Polko told PAP.
According to the general, the conclusion for Poland should be that “within the European Union, we should increase our share of global GDPbecause then we will be a more important and serious partner for the United States.” – We cannot do it alone. We have to do it together, because then we will be more effective in our actions – he added.
– Unfortunately, what is dangerous in this document and is reflected in the phrase that is being used more and more often – even NATO chief Mark Rutte says it – “NATO and the United States”. It is worth remembering that the United States is one of the most important members of the Alliance and this integration in transatlantic relations should be strengthened, he noted. – This document clearly shows distancing ourselves from what was the main assumption of this alliance – he added.
When asked whether Europe is able to take responsibility for its security, the general said that “Europe needs 5 to 10 years for the deterrent potential to be sufficient“In 5 years, when Europe implements its plans, there will be no discussion about whether it is worth testing the cohesion of the NATO alliance, because Europe will be able to effectively secure the gap left by the United States,” he noted.
– Despite all the various criticisms towards Europe, it is clearly indicated that the United States still considers relations with Europe as important for economic development and for building a safe order and security. It is also clearly emphasized in this strategy that a safe Europe is the guarantor of the security of the current world – concluded the general.
The US National Security Strategy, the preparation of which is ordered by Congress, is the first of three expected documents intended to set the directions of US policy. The next steps are to be the National Defense Strategy prepared by the Pentagon and the Global Posture Review, i.e. a revision of the deployment of US forces in the world. Their final effect may be changes in the deployment of US troops, including in Europe, where a reduction in forces is expected. However, according to President Donald Trump's promises, this will not apply to Poland.
“Der Spiegel” on the new US strategy: an apocalyptic and almost caricatured vision of Europe
In an article about the American national security strategy, Spiegel writes that US President Donald Trump sees Europe “on the verge of collapse” and “indicates what forces he will rely on there.” In the opinion of the weekly, in the part of the document devoted to Europe, “an apocalyptic, almost caricatured image of the Old Continent was outlined.”
The German weekly notes that in addition to “economic collapse”, the US administration recognizes that Europe is facing “a real and increasingly visible threat of civilizational decline.” The main problems, according to Americans, include the actions of the European Union, which is intended to limit “political freedom,” adds “Spiegel.”
In the Trump administration's vision in Europe, one can even observe “censorship and persecution of political opponents,” writes “Der Spiegel.” And he sarcastically states: “in Berlin, Rome or Paris, but not Moscow.”
The main priorities of US policy include “resistance to the current course in European countries,” the weekly notes. “Does Trump mean his government's direct interference in the policies of individual European countries? And if so, what should it look like?” – he asks.
“The tone of the document is strongly reminiscent of US Vice President JD Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference in February. While the world, especially Europe, expected a clear US position towards global conflicts, from Ukraine to the Middle East, Vance used the Munich stage for a cultural and political tirade. Shortly earlier, in an interview for the Wall Street Journal, he called on German parties to cooperate with the AfD,” the weekly reminds.
“Spiegel” estimates that “the only good news for Europeans may be the fact that Trump considers them only his third priority.” The chapter on Europe is marked with the letter C, while A and B cover the Western Hemisphere and Asia, respectively. This is where American interests “are to be most intensively defended.”
Hence the frequent references in the document to stopping irregular migration, combating drug cartels and the Monroe Doctrine – a principle from the 19th century, according to which the Western Hemisphere is the sphere of influence of the US and interference from other powers should be resisted there. On Asia, the Trump administration “reiterates its persistent thesis that many years of trade with China have mainly benefited Beijing.” “State subsidies” and “intellectual property theft” are – according to Washington – problems that must be faced.
“The document may be received cautiously positively in Taiwan. The island, which the People's Republic of China considers its territory and is threatened with invasion, is recognized in the document as an area of strategic importance. Preventing a conflict over Taiwan is a priority for the US,” we read in “Spiegel”.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, referring to the new American security strategy, said on Friday that the US “is and will remain the most important ally” of Germany in NATO. At the same time, he stressed that Germany did not need “any external advice” on freedom of speech or “the organization of a free society.”
Atlantic Council expert: The new US strategy lacks a strong position towards Russia
The new US security strategy lacks a strong position on deterring Russia, which will make it difficult to achieve stability in Europe, given the current authorities in Moscow, said Andrew D'Anieri, an analyst at the Atlantic Council think tank, in an interview with PAP.
– The national security strategy emphasizes that Europe and Russia must resolve their differences to achieve stability in Europe. This may be true in the long term, but stability will be difficult to achieve under the current, murderous, expansionist regime that is still in Moscow, the expert said.
In his opinion, it will be even more difficult without a strong deterrent position of the US, which is missing in the National Security Strategy.
D'Anieri pointed to reports that US President Donald Trump's administration wants Europe to take over most of NATO's conventional defense capabilities by 2027. According to Reuters, Pentagon officials informed diplomats in Washington about this.
– Reports that the US is seeking to reduce its role in NATO do not show “peace through strength”, but rather betray a lack of interest and naivety – said an Atlantic Council analyst.
The US national security strategy published on Friday states that the priority in US policy towards Europe should be, among others: returning to strategic stability in relations with Russia, enabling Europe to take responsibility for its own defense and preventing further NATO expansion.
The document calls for a break with current foreign policy in many fundamental aspects and changes the main emphasis of foreign policy from competition with China to internal security and designating the Western Hemisphere as the American sphere of influence.
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