From euronews · Shona Murray · · 1m 10s
US Excludes France UK Baltics From NATO Meeting
US meeting in Poland without France, UK, and Baltics risks NATO division.
In brief
US meeting in Poland without France, UK, and Baltics risks NATO division. US excludes France, UK, and Baltic states from NATO meeting, raising fears of alliance fragmentation as Washington pushes Europe to take greater defense responsibility. Originally reported by euronews.
NATO Meeting Format
US Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby met with Sweden, Finland, Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands in a group called the Bergen Group.
Excluded Nations
The UK, France, and Baltic states were not invited to the meeting, despite their critical roles in nato security.
Bergen Group Purpose
The group discusses nato’s future under so-called nato 3.0, where europe takes lead in conventional defense.
US Defense Shift
The us is scaling back its traditional role, withdrawing bombers, submarines, and personnel from nato.
Expert Concerns
Geopolitical consultant Fabrice Pothier warns the format risks dividing nato into 'good versus bad' categories.
“the bottom line is this is very toxic for an alliance that relies of collective play”
Baltic Exclusion
Baltic states face repeated russian hybrid attacks and are excluded despite high defense spending.
Baltic Response
Lithuania invited us defense official to witness drone intrusions, warning of harsh consequences for russian actions.
“we say what we see”
The takeaway
US excludes France, UK, and Baltic states from NATO meeting, raising fears of alliance fragmentation as Washington pushes Europe to take greater defense responsibility.
