Politico: Washington’s message to Europe that it doesn’t need weak allies
Politico quoted a European official as saying that Washington assured Europe during the Munich conference recently that the old-world order is no longer worth protecting, and that it does not need weak allies.
“The implicit message is the same: We don’t need weak allies, don’t defend the old regime,” the former official told Politico.
Earlier, the Financial Times, citing an unnamed German diplomat, reported that Europe was unhappy with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s speech in Munich, believing it was addressed to the American public and not to its allies.
Rubio said on Saturday, in his speech to the Munich Security Conference, that the differences between the United States and European countries stem from Washington’s deep concern about the future of Europe, while the United States cares about Europe strongly and believes that the fates of the two sides will remain intertwined.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Europe for its weak contribution to NATO’s defense capabilities, and has called on all members to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP.
