Merz warned: NATO is going through a serious crisis due to the conflict between the USA and Europe

Tensions between the administration of US President Donald Trump and European partners within NATO have raised questions about the future of the Alliance.

Relations were already strained following US criticism of Europe over defense spending and issues such as immigration policy, and further worsened after Germany and other European countries refused to support the US-Israeli war against Iran, which began in late February.

“We are really ready to do everything to keep this alliance alive in the future,” Merz said at a press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

He added that Sweden and Finland have strengthened the European pillar of NATO.

“We know there are certain differences. We are aware of the challenges we all face, but our ultimate goal is to end this conflict and ensure that Iran is not able to produce nuclear weapons,” Merz said.

“It is the common goal of America and Europe.”

Trump previously singled out Germany as one of the main targets of criticism. After Merz said last month that Iran was “humiliating” the US, Trump responded by ordering the withdrawal of 5,000 US troops and canceling the planned deployment of long-range Tomahawk missiles.

Merz pointed out that the main issue is not the number of soldiers, but the “unity of goals”, and that it is in the interest of the US to have a strong European component within NATO.

“We are still interested, and very interested, in having the American military and American military support remain on our side,” the German chancellor said.

After decades of neglect, European countries, including Germany, are investing billions of euros in rebuilding their military capabilities due to, as Merz previously stated, the growing threat from Russia.

Speaking as Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a parade in Moscow marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, Merz said he was disappointed by Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fitz’s decision to attend the event in Moscow.

However, although Fico arrived in Moscow, according to the media, he did not attend the military parade itself.

(Vijesti.ba)