<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2026/jun/27/nato-leaders-fear-they-can-no-longer-rely-on-us-help-if-russia-attacks-trump-eastern-europe>
"A nightmare scenario has been playing on eastern European minds with
increasing intensity since Donald Trump returned to the White House: what if
Russia attacks and the US does not join the fight?
On the rare occasions the question is posed out loud, nobody much likes the
answer. In mid-May, at a gathering in Tallinn, the US undersecretary of state
Thomas DiNanno was asked directly whether American troops would fight if Russia
invaded the Baltic states. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, then gave a
meandering answer. It did not include the word “yes”.
Politicians from the region usually try to sidestep the issue in public,
claiming Washington’s commitment to Nato allies remains strong, and the
alarming rhetoric from the Trump administration should not be taken to heart.
“We shouldn’t pour fuel on the fire” is a mantra that was repeated in
interviews by ministers from several countries on the eastern flank, where
proximity to Russia infuses security debates with extra intensity.
Others admit that things are fraught between Europe and the US, but say a break
in relations is out of the question, because the security gaps if the Americans
absconded would be unbridgeable. Dovilė Šakalienė, a former Lithuanian defence
minister, compared the relationship to “a dysfunctional family where divorce is
not an option”.
In private, informal conversations are taking place in whispers. What would the
response to a Russian attack look like if the US did not show up? Should Europe
be doing everything to keep Trump on side – or be drawing up plans for the
event that Washington does not come through? And will Vladimir Putin look at
the unease in Nato and decide it is the perfect time to test the alliance’s
resolve?"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
