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This position was expressed when the President of the United States, Donald Trump, surprised the partners of the military alliance with a declaration that thousands of American troops would be withdrawn from Germany.
Although video conferencing has become the norm due to the coronavirus pandemic, Esperis arrived on a brief visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Last week, several Allied defense ministers expressed concern about the unpredictability of US plans for the deployment and withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
“I appreciate the United States ‘consultations with its allies, while sending a clear message that the United States’ commitment to European security remains strong,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a previous joint video to negotiate with Esper. Both officers wore protective masks.
Due to limitations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, media personnel have generally not been allowed to visit NATO headquarters recently.
Last week, Trump said he had ordered a significant reduction in the US contingent in Germany from 34.5 thousand. up to 25 thousand. Soldiers Members of his own party have criticized the move as a gift to Russia and a threat to U.S. national security, as bases in Germany are critical to U.S. operations in the Middle East and Africa.
Trump said this week that troops could be transferred from Germany to Poland.
Germany was not warned of this step in advance. Previously, Trump criticized Berlin for not allocating sufficient funds for defense and for not implementing the agreement reached by the Allies in 2014 that members of the bloc would try to allocate at least 2 percent to defense funds by 2024. Its gross domestic product
Mr. Esper reiterated this message: “I continue to ask all of our allies to meet the 2% target. GDP target. We have come a long way in this area in recent years, but we still have a long way to go to guarantee our collective security. “
On Thursday, the United States Secretary of State again criticized Germany.
“We consider Russia to be a serious threat. 1% for defense. Its GDP, as Germany does, it is recognized that they may not consider [Rusijos] a serious threat to what the United States considers it to be. Although it should, “Pompeo said.
“It just came to our attention then [Rusijos prezidentas] Vladimir Putin must be seen from Germany, “he added.
According to NATO data, Germany will allocate 1.38 percent to the defense budget this year. gross domestic product. Berlin aims to increase this share to 1.5 percent by 2024. and argues that this level of funding is sufficient for Berlin to meet NATO’s defense planning goals.
The United States, in turn, spends about 3.4 percent on defense. GDP, and this amount is higher than all the other NATO members combined.
In a statement issued after talks with Mr. Esper, Mr. Stoltenberg emphasized that “the United States’ military presence in Europe is important to Europe and also to North America. Because only by working together can we solve the great challenges we face. ”
The report also said that in Afghanistan, where NATO has led security forces since 2003 and recently began withdrawing troops under a peace plan between the United States and the Taliban, the Alliance “will continue to refine its presence” and “will do so closely. cooperation with allies and partners. “
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