General Sir Richard Shirreff on a New NATO Without US Involvement

US Withdrawal and the Need for a New Alliance

• 💡 Former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Sir Richard Shirreff, proposes a new NATO alliance comprising European nations and Canada.
• ⚠️ This is driven by the perceived unreliability of the US as an ally, particularly under a potential Trump administration, suggesting "America is just not in the room."

Ukraine's Resource Deal with the US

• 🇺🇦 A recent minerals deal between the US and Ukraine is discussed, where Ukraine will grant the US a share of its resources in exchange for future aid.
• 💰 Initially proposed as a way to repay US military aid with Ukrainian resources, the deal has evolved into a forward-looking economic partnership.
• 🤝 Ukrainian officials view the deal as potentially win-win, preventing military aid from becoming debt and aiming for investments rather than a loan.
• 🇪🇺 A key concern is ensuring this deal does not hinder Ukraine's ambition to join the EU, and that European partners are treated on equal footing.

Security Guarantees and European Security

• ❓ The deal lacks formal US security guarantees, leading to discussions about its effectiveness as a security arrangement.
• 🎯 The best security guarantee for Ukraine is seen as NATO membership, which is not currently feasible.
• 📈 The increased US economic interest in Ukraine is hoped to improve chances of survival and support, potentially opening doors for more military assistance.

Europe's Faltering Military Response

• 📉 General Shirreff expresses disappointment that Europe appears to be faltering in stepping up as a military force for Ukraine.
• 🗣️ He criticizes the continued use of platitudes like "as long as it takes" without the necessary substance, political leadership, or willingness to make sacrifices.
• 💰 While acknowledging increased defense spending by European nations, the focus remains on the need for a clear strategy and the means to achieve military defeat of Russia in Ukraine.

Building a European NATO

• 🚀 A new alliance of European nations and Canada is presented as a viable option if the US cannot be trusted as an ally.
• 🗺️ This would involve contributing troops, ships, planes, and other resources to form a new NATO structure.
• 💪 The success of such an alliance hinges on political will, courage, determination, and a willingness to make sacrifices.