‘The idea that Europe has to accept a deal that we are not involved in, but whose burdens we have to bear, is completely unacceptable’ says Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist). He was speaking in response to the negotiations between the US and Russia over Ukraine. Tomorrow, the prime minister will also call Ukrainian President Zelensky. Mr De Wever also spoke of possibly revisiting the timetable for increasing defence spending.
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PM De Wever: ‘Belgium prepared to revisit defence-spending catch-up timetable’
Colin Clapson
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When asked whether the United States is still Europe's ally, Mr De Wever said we should ‘look beyond one president’. ‘NATO is an alliance that has existed for decades. It is the best guarantee for our security and it unites the free, democratic West.’
Mr De Wever conceded that US president Trump's statements and actions ‘piled on the pressure’. ‘It reminds me of the 18th century, and the War of Spanish Succession and the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. Then it was said: ‘We are negotiating about you, but without you’. Striking a bargain with Putin, that is the same message from the White House. It is a harsh wake-up call.’
The prime minister added his government will discuss whether to adjust Belgium’s defence plans and the 2 per cent of GDP that NATO requires to be spent on defence. ‘Our country has always promised to be a good NATO pupil, but has never lived up to that,’ he noted.
‘The geopolitical situation has now caught up with us. We have a path to the 2 per cent by 2029, but I do not rule out that that will be insufficient for the international community and we will have to speed things up.’