Allies must prepare for NATO without U.S. – ex-head of NATO's strategic planning staff

Stefanie Babst, former head of NATO's strategic planning staff, said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"I think the European allies + Canada should suspend the U.S. from NATO's political bodies and decision-making. It's crucial to send a strong signal to Washington -- Europe and Canada will not bend to cleptocratic authoritarians: neither in Moscow nor in Washington. […] I think the European allies should actively prepare for a NATO without [Trump]," Babst said.

According to her, the transatlantic security partnership "is unraveling in front of our eyes." She said that U.S. President Donald Trump has switched sides, openly supporting the Russian aggressor.

"He and his administration have already harmed NATO massively and they continue doing it every day," Babst said.

In her opinion, Trump has numerous ways to undermine trust in the Alliance. For instance, he could halt U.S. financial contributions to NATO's common budget, withdraw American troops and military equipment from Europe, or impose "crazy" tariffs on allies unless they cease cyber operations against Russia. Other damaging actions she cited include blocking intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, cutting military aid to Kyiv, and making territorial threats against Denmark and Canada.

Babst also noted that the U.S. is violating multiple NATO-agreed policies and strategies, including the new Strategic Concept. She stressed that Trump's actions breach the NATO Treaty -- the Alliance's founding document -- which clearly and commits all members to adhere to and promote UN Charter principles, including the territorial sovereignty and integrity of its members.

"This is not a small disagreement between allies," she said.

Babst acknowledged that if the U.S. reduces its role, Europe will need to make major investments in its own security.

"But we are neither poor nor toothless: we are 450 million people in the European Union; we have two nuclear powers among us (France and the UK), we are economically strong and many EU countries have started to upgrade and modernize their armed forces: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Norway and the Baltic countries are all clear-eyed about the Russian threat. Together with Ukraine, we are a strong group of countries. Of course, over time, we will be able to defend ourselves without the Americans. But to be able to do this, we need to believe in our own strength," she said.

Babst also did not rule out the possibility that the next NATO summit might not take place.