The atmosphere at the Alliance headquarters remains calm, despite the storm clouds gathering over transatlantic relations. While the Donald Trump administration continues to frighten Europe with harsh rhetorical outbursts, NATO leadership demonstrates remarkable restraint. Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, heading the Military Committee, sees no reason for panic and is confident that the new defense ambitions of the US will be realized without disruption.
Mechanism instead of emotions
NATO's chief military strategist hastened to reassure allies: from the point of view of military logistics and planning, there are no "dramatic situations" between Washington and Brussels. Cavo Dragone is confident that European countries are already adapting to the new requirements of the White House. Instead of public scandals, a well-oiled defense planning mechanism is working, which will allow partners to gradually increase their capabilities.
The numbers speak for themselves: the Alliance is moving towards achieving an ambitious goal — to bring defense spending to 5% of GDP. This is a serious step that will require colossal efforts, but, according to the admiral, the necessary resources will be obtained on time.
Response to challenges and a "turning point"
Separately, it is worth mentioning NATO's position regarding recent provocations. In response to violations of airspace by Russian drones, Cavo Dragone called for maintaining cool-headedness and not reacting "excessively" emotionally. However, serious shifts are taking place behind the scenes of diplomacy.
The speech by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Singapore became a kind of call to action. Washington is likely planning to redistribute its resources, reducing its presence in Europe and shifting the burden of defense onto the shoulders of allies. The publication Spiegel calls these plans a potential "turning point" that will force European countries to accelerate the development of their own military power.