Europe wants to become more independent of the United States-and could usher in the end of NATO, warns Trump’s ex-consultant John Bolton at “Illner”.
The American security expert John Bolton has warned Europe to facilitate Donald Trump from leaving NATO. Trump’s former national security advisor addressed his warning to “Maybrit Illner” in particular to Friedrich Merz (CDU). Merz said that Germany and Europe should become more independent by the United States. “That would be an apology for Donald Trump to withdraw from NATO,” predicted Bolton.
In the talk show on Thursday evening, Bolton recalled how close Trump in 2018 at the summit in Brussels was already at NATO. The then US President had threatened the alliance partners that he would “do his own thing”. At the time, the military alliance avoided the worst with a crisis meeting.
According to Bolton, a repetition threatens – with possibly bad outcome. In view of Merz’s statements, Trump could say Bolton (according to the interpreter): “The Europeans want to be independent? Well, then do it. And the next time you are attacked by an authoritarian, militaristic enemy, just tell us how it went out.” When asked by Illner whether NATO exit could actually happen, Bolton confirmed: “The situation is very serious.”
Illner from the CDU foreign expert Norbert Röttgen wanted to know whether it was wise by probably the next Chancellor to emphasize the need for the independent defense capacity of Germany and Europe in this way. He confirmed with a view to NATO: “We should come from us
Do not question, but we have to prepare for everything. “
Former Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) expressed hope at “Illner”: “Friedrich Merz will be smart enough to do exactly what Norbert Röttgen says.” Means: all companies to stay with the USA at NATO and at the same time work closely with the European NATO partners to form a European pillar in the alliance. But that takes time, said Gabriel, who already titled Merz as Chancellor.
But how long could Trump be held up by Putin? In view of the lean result of the call of the two head of state, Illner asked a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. Putin is aware that he must not overkeep the sheet at Trump, Bolton said. Putin would therefore not expect embarrassment and do not endanger the concessions of Russia. In the end, the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj should stand for a failure as the culprit.
Security expert Claudia Major made it clear to “Illner”: The USA under Trump is becoming a security threat to Europe. It therefore called for a transition plan for European security. He could be sold to the United States as an endeavor to relieve the great ally – in the hope that the Americans will get involved. According to the expert from the US Foundation German Marshall Fund, the drive should not be that the United States has become unreliable, but the claim to be able to defend itself.
