First “Defender”, then “Baltops” – Americans have just sent their European allies a clear signal that they are not withdrawing from their commitments. However, this does not mean that Europe can fall into bliss. Returning to the transatlantic position quo before Donald Trump's regulation will not be. And the announcements about the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague only confirm that.
The fast migration of American troops across the Atlantic and then a block of joint exercises with allies and partners from Finland to Montenegro – this is simply a script 6th edition of “Defender”, organized by the US Army. Protection of shipping routes against attacks from water and air, search and fight against submarines, investigating of various types of unmanned vehicles – these are the assumptions ‘Baltopsa’, the oldest and largest NATO exercises in the Baltic Seain which presently the first violin US Navy game.
The Americans have engaged crucial forces in both efforts. They directed respective 1000 soldiers to “Defender” and, among another things, to “Baltops” delegated the command ship USS “Mount Whitney” and USS “Paul Ignatius”, an Arleigh Burke-class rocket destroyer capable of carrying Tomahawk missiles. "This is simply a large demonstration of our ability and willingness to interact with allies," said high-ranking U.S. military.
The fresh activity of the American army may have given quite a few encouragement to Europeans. This is due to the fact that after long months marked by the harsh statements of president Donald Trump and his colleagues, they yet received a signal that America does not turn its back on them. Of course, you gotta remember that exercises with specified momentum are prepared for months, if not for years, so it is hard to retreat from them overnight, but... in the present U.S. administration you can truly imagine a lot. Meanwhile, there was a clear signal in the planet that rumors of NATO's imminent death proved to be definitely premature. However, this does not mean that the Old Continent can now fall into bliss and put aside the slogan about taking work for its own safety. Returning to the erstwhile transatlantic position quo will not beEspecially since past has accelerated again in fresh months. Those who want to last must take into account changes in the safety environment in their calculations.
Joint training of American and French soldiers during Swift consequence 2025 exercises in Lithuania, 21 May 2025 Swift consequence 2025 was part of the Defender Europe 25 maneuvers. photograph by Jose Lora/ 173rd Airborne Brigade
In fresh years Trump has mostly retired from problematic rhetoric for Europe and NATO. He no longer hits Volodymyr Zelenski so hard, he does not accuse Europeans of wanting to “screw him” and he is increasingly speaking about Russia. The U.S. president is seemingly beginning to realize that in a situation that has swelled up on the Old Continent, it is hard to find fast and simple solutions, and that the possible escalation of the conflict in the East is not just a concern for European countries, due to the fact that it could besides hit the US. And that's why all the more reason to alienate old allies. But Trump has conditions he won't quit so easily. He wants a more active and more self-interested Europe. Americans will be increasingly active in another regions of the world. And this is not just about global competition with China. The Israeli-Iran War just broke out in the mediate East.that can affect the destiny of the world, even in the economical dimension. America will gotta respond 1 way or another.
Europe’s leaders clearly value the expectations of the current White home administration. Just look at the announcements – both authoritative and spherical – before the upcoming major steps of the NATO summit in The Hague. Alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte pointed out a fewer days ago that 1 of the most crucial objectives of the gathering was to agree on a fresh threshold for defence spending. Member States would shortly mark a full of 5% of GDP per year.. 3.5% of this amount would be allocated straight to arms, while 1.5% would be allocated to investments in cybersecurity or military infrastructure. Defence spending would besides include military aid to Ukraine. Most associate States inactive want to support it, but – this is already an unofficial message – the Hague will not be as decisive as it has been in favour of joining NATO. “The Alliance will make a consensus alternatively than a bold statement,” confirmed president Petr Pavel, quoted by Euroactiv.com. This is simply a clear bow towards the Trump administration, which does not want Ukraine in NATO.
Of course, it is not that the Alliance sets itself ambitious financial targets solely due to force from the US. European members of the organisation are aware that strengthening their own ownership is simply a essential consequence to an increasingly complex global situation. It can besides become a bargaining chip in relations with the current White home administration. Relations are surely not easy, but as fresh military exercises show, more lasting than many might seem.
