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FILE PHOTO: Donald Trump’s comments raised concerns that if re-elected, he could embolden Russia to attack countries other than Ukraine.
By Sylvie Corbett, Vanessa Gera and Gail Moulson | Associated Press
PARIS – The governments of Poland, France and Germany on Monday gave Europe greater capacity to support Ukraine, amid growing concerns that former U.S. President Donald Trump will return to the White House and allow Russia to expand its aggression. He vowed to make the country a security and defense powerhouse with the same on the continent.
The foreign ministers of the three countries met in La Celle Saint-Cloud, outside Paris, to discuss Ukraine among other issues. They discussed the revival of the so-called Weimar Triangle, a long-dormant regional grouping designed to foster cooperation between France, Germany, and Poland.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Monday, said he wanted to “revitalize” his country’s relations with key European partners.
Insisting that the European Union become a “military power” in its own right, Tusk said: “There is no reason why our country is clearly inferior to Russia militarily. Therefore, it is imperative that we expand production and strengthen cooperation.” “This is an undisputed priority.”
This diplomatic push comes after President Trump shocked many in Europe over the weekend when he appeared to invite Russia to invade NATO countries that do not spend enough on their own defense. What was given was done.
“‘You’re not paying? Are you a delinquent?'” Trump recalled telling an unnamed NATO member while he was president. “‘No, I’m not going to protect you. In fact, I’d encourage them to do whatever they want to do. You’ve got to pay the bills. You’ve got to pay the bills.’ ”
The Republican front-runner’s words at a campaign rally were particularly shocking for NATO frontline states like Poland, which experienced both German and Soviet occupation during World War II and then spent decades under Soviet control. It was spot on. Anxiety is growing over the ongoing war across Poland’s eastern border.
Mr. Scholz spoke alongside Mr. Tusk in Berlin and slammed Mr. Trump’s comments.
“NATO’s promise of protection has no limits. It’s all for one and one for all,” Scholz said, without mentioning the former president by name. “And let me be clear for current reasons: Relativizing NATO support guarantees is irresponsible, dangerous, and only in Russia’s interest.”
The prime minister added: “No one can get involved or ‘bargain’ with Europe’s security.”
Scholz inaugurated a new ammunition factory early Monday, underscoring Europe’s commitment to expanding arms production.
Tusk also called on European countries to increase investment in military projects in order to “achieve as quickly as possible in the coming months a significant increase in air defense capabilities and a significant increase in ammunition production capacity.” Ta.
Asked about President Trump’s comments, Tusk said: “This should serve as a cold shower to all those who continue to underestimate this increasingly real threat facing Europe.” Ta.
Macron met with Tusk in Paris and said he would “need further supplies and support Ukraine’s needs” after the leaders of the 27 EU countries signed a deal to provide Ukraine with 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in war aid. “Europe’s will to meet this goal is crucial.” -A devastated economy.
This would “make it possible to create a security and defense force from Europe that will complement NATO and become a pillar of the Atlantic Alliance,” Macron said.
President Trump’s comments raised concerns that if re-elected, Russia could step up attacks on countries other than Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg issued a statement on Sunday saying President Trump’s comments put the U.S. military and its allies at greater risk.
NATO does not require its 31 member states to pay their bills, but each country is expected to invest a certain percentage of its budget (ideally 2% of gross domestic product) in defense.
Some countries, like Poland, have long achieved their goals. After Russia invaded Ukraine about two years ago, other European countries also increased military spending.
Germany, which has had a military-wary political culture since World War II, was often the target of President Trump’s ire during his term as president for failing to meet the 2% goal. announced plans to increase military spending in response to a full-scale invasion of China. Ukraine is on track to reach the benchmark this year.
France’s military budget has increased in recent years, reaching a level of about 2% of GDP.
Mr. Tusk returned to power as the central European country’s prime minister in December after eight years of rule by a conservative nationalist government that often took a hostile stance toward European allies, particularly Germany. As a result, Warsaw’s influence in Europe declined.
The Weimar Triangle was created in 1991 as a platform for political cooperation between the three countries, as Poland was emerging from decades of communism.
Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said on Monday that he “met in a dramatic but solemn moment” with the foreign ministers of France and Germany. Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “We must not be allowed to win this war. We must fulfill our obligations to Ukraine.”
French Foreign Minister Stephane Séjournet said: “Every minute counts so that Europeans can absorb the impact of the scenario so well described by Donald Trump.”
Moulson contributed from Berlin and Gera from Warsaw.
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