However, one question seems to be hanging over this year's Munich Security Conference. So what exactly is happening in the US?
In recent months, European political, security and intelligence agencies have watched nervously as vital aid to Ukraine became mired in domestic politics. My American interlocutors assured me that ultimately the bill would pass and that funds and military equipment would continue to flow.
But a protracted fight over funding, coupled with former President Donald Trump's claims that underspending on defense by US allies would encourage Russia to attack, has shaken Europe and raised questions about whether the continent can count on the US. , and renewing questions about what to do. If you can't do that, please do so.
In Munich, Vice President Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken will try to convince European allies that the US commitment to Ukraine and NATO is solid. But there seems to be little they can promise about the next few months, let alone the next few years.
In Germany, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is also expected to participate. He has just become a symbol of the dysfunction in American politics for some here following his unprecedented impeachment. Meanwhile, a group of U.S. senators who flew in for the event will be faced with questions about why Republicans seem to “get” President Trump's message on abandoning Ukraine.
Some of those questions are likely to come from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is due to stop in Berlin and Paris on Friday before transiting through Munich. These visits aim to strengthen long-term support for Ukraine's fight and demonstrate Europe's resolve.
Europeans will do everything in their power to demonstrate to U.S. officials and certain presidential candidates that they stand by their side of the transatlantic deal.
In Brussels this week, for example, senior officials including NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highlighted recent increases in defense spending by NATO members.
In remarks to reporters, Stoltenberg said critics such as Trump have made “valid points” about defense spending, but insisted the alliance was already moving to increase spending.
“The main point and message that has been conveyed by successive U.S. administrations is that our European allies and Canada have to spend more because we don't see fair burden sharing within the alliance,” Stoltenberg said. said. “The good news is that this is exactly what NATO allies are doing now.”
NATO saw defense spending increase by 11% in real terms across Europe and Canada last year. Stoltenberg said this year, 18 of the 31 allies will meet the goal of spending 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense.
European leaders recognize the limits of their influence in U.S. political debates, but many are trying to push for dialogue anyway.
In recent months, successive foreign ministers, defense ministers and senior European officials have visited Washington following a predictable itinerary. In addition to government officials, talks with available Republican members of Congress. Since then, he has held events at conservative think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute, trying hard to sway the growing isolationist wing of the Republican Party and energize the party's foreign policy hawks. make an effort
Many EU diplomats are hopeful that the US will bounce back, in part because they are unwilling to ponder the alternatives. “We believe that the defeat of Russia in Ukraine is a common interest,” a senior EU diplomat said on condition of anonymity to brief the media.
“From what I have heard from my American colleagues, there is still a chance that Congress will approve it,” the diplomat continued. “We hope so. Their support will continue to be needed in the months and years to come.”
