FLASH
Shkruar nga Jens StoltenbergFormer Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recalls his difficult journey with Donald Trump and how close the US president brought the alliance to the point of collapse.
In November 2016, with Donald Trump's surprise victory in the US presidential election, many in NATO immediately sensed that uncertain times were coming. America has the greatest political, economic and military weight in the alliance, so everything that happens in Washington has direct consequences for the entire structure.
On election night, my wife Ingrid and I had organized a small party in Brussels, expecting a Hillary Clinton victory. But when I woke up at five in the morning and saw that Trump had won Pennsylvania and Ohio, I realized that everything had changed.
It was clear that NATO needed to quickly establish a working relationship with the new president, even though during the campaign he had called NATO "obsolete" and often portrayed it as a burden on the US. Within the alliance, I set strict rules: no mockery, no undertones, no irony towards Trump. Such disdain, if it spread to Washington, could be fatal to cooperation.
First conversation: "I'm a big fan of NATO!"
In November 2016, in my first phone call with Trump, he told me: “I’m a big fan of NATO!” A statement that was obviously at odds with his campaign, but one that I welcomed. We agreed on the need for European countries to invest more in defense, a priority for me as well. He even asked me my opinion on upcoming appointments, such as Rex Tillerson or Jim Mattis. I wasn’t prepared for these questions, but the staff helped me. It was an encouraging start.
Meeting at the White House: From Korea to Celina Midelfart
In April 2017, I met Trump in person at the White House. It was a strange, informal, and often illogical meeting. From the North Korean nuclear threat, about which he asked, “Why doesn’t NATO go there?” to a conversation about a Norwegian businesswoman, Celina Midelfart, who was once rumored to be close to Trump.
Part of the conversation was also devoted to Russia. Trump spoke about it as if it were a country like any other that worries the United States. I reminded him that Russia is a permanent neighbor of Europe and a strong approach is needed, but also with dialogue. He was surprised when he learned that I was Norwegian and started talking about mutual recognition from my country.
A strange but nevertheless important meeting.
"So what do we need Iceland for?"
Trump was obsessed with the financial contributions of member countries. When I explained to him that only five countries had met the 2% of GDP target for defense, I cited Iceland as an exception because it has no military. “Then why are we keeping it in NATO?” he asked.
It was US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis who intervened, explaining the strategic importance of Iceland for detecting Russian submarines.
The Summit and the Word That Was Never Said: Article 5
On May 25, 2017, Trump attended his first NATO summit in Brussels. It was also the day we inaugurated the alliance's new building. I had everything planned: the speeches, the ceremony, and a symbolic moment in front of the 9/11 memorial (the memorial at NATO headquarters, the symbol of solidarity that Trump skipped), where for the first time in history, Article 5 of the treaty, which guarantees collective defense, was activated.
Strong words were expected from Trump to reassure allies that the US stood by its commitment. But instead, he talked about terrorism, about Russia, and then about finance.
“23 out of 28 NATO countries are not paying what they should,” he said in a critical tone. From the prepared speech that included a clear reference to Article 5 – he had removed key parts and added with highlighter the words: “THEY HAVE TO PAY”, “IT’S NOT FAIR”, “2% IS THE MINIMUM!”
In the end, Article 5 was not mentioned at all. In a symbolic moment that was supposed to confirm unity and solidarity, Trump used the stage to do political accounting. Several European leaders asked me for clarification later, concerned about the American guarantee to NATO.
Between chaos and strategy
For Stoltenberg, the relationship with Trump was a battle between realpolitik and the unpredictable character of a president who did not adhere to diplomatic rules. He could be polite and cooperative in private conversations, but often irresponsible in public. NATO, in that period, stood firm not because of clear US support, but thanks to careful efforts to maintain dialogue and avoid a fatal rift. / Adapted with abbreviations from The Guardian
*Jens Stoltenberg – former NATO Secretary General
Presidenti Tramp nuk e dinte që Ju Z.Stoltenberg ishit shtetas norvegjez? Apo po bënë ironi si Kryeministri i Shqipërisë?Po Kolaboracioni nga ishte e dinte z.Tramp? Të mbante fjalimin që i servirën kripto soroistët në Bruksel, këtë pritët Ju?. Kur ua mblodhi rripat dhe ju kujtoji se mbrojtja ka kosto dhe se amerikanët nuk janë budallenjë, reflektuat apo jo?