Angela Merkel: NATO must refocus on Russia threat

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico-Europe




Challenges for the military alliance “have changed drastically in recent years,” the German chancellor said.

By JANOSCH DELCKER 7/7/18, 2:43 PM CET Updated 7/7/18, 2:52 PM CET

BERLIN — NATO must focus on setting up a presence at the alliance’s Eastern flank to defend itself from potential Russian aggression, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.

Her remarks, ahead of a summit of NATO leaders in Brussels next week, will be seen as a strong reaffirmation of the military alliance’s relevance and a statement from Europe’s most powerful leader of what she sees as its future direction. There are fears that U.S. President Donald Trump, who will attend the summit and has in the past referred to it as “obsolete“, will next week seek to undermine NATO further.

“The challenges for NATO have changed drastically in recent years,” Merkel said in a video statement published Saturday, adding that after Moscow’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula and its military activities in Eastern Ukraine it is important “to focus more on defending the alliance.”

“To do that we [must] make necessary arrangements, for example through a presence in central and Eastern European countries,” she said.

Read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-nato-summit-defense-spending-must-refocus-on-russia-threat/

[yallerdawg]

1. She's throwing down a simple 'Bush Doctrine.'

"You're either with us - or you're against us." Are we aligned with NATO - or Putin?

Shit gonna fly in Brussels. Hopefully, not Starburst candies again.

Another mess our next Democratic president will have to clean up.

[MicaelS]

3. Nonsense.

She is just stating facts. Except for the period between the Fall of the USSR and the Rise of Putin, Russia has always been hostile to the West.

[yallerdawg]

4. We'll see what the Dotard does - on his way to meet with Putin.

We'll see exactly who Merkel is talking to.

[Yupster]

7. She is right

The Russian threat is to Poland, Romania and the Baltic States and NATO's forces are arranged to defend Germany. Doesn't make any sense.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

2. Angela, you're on your own with this.

At least until 2021.

[AllyCat]

5. The leader of the free world speaks

[McCamy Taylor]

6. She has to. Russia is funding German fascism.

Russia wants to recreate the Nazi party--so it has an excuse to eventually invade Germany. Or at least take away its power.

England needs to do the same. The Brexit vote was also Russia at war.