Washington – The Pentagon has excluded several European countries, including Britain, France, and the Baltic states, from participating in a meeting of a working group comprised of NATO member states, according to Politico, citing diplomatic sources.
The meeting will discuss the future of the alliance, but representatives from several member states did not receive invitations. This has raised questions among diplomats about the criteria for selecting participants and the objectives of the meetings.
European countries outside the meeting
A diplomat from one of the excluded countries said that his country “is doing everything asked of it” and is trying to understand the parameters and objectives of these meetings. He also noted that the information available about them remains limited.
The list of excluded countries included Britain, France, and the Baltic states, despite their membership in NATO and their participation in the alliance’s defense commitments.
Concerns about reshaping the alliance
Concerns have grown in diplomatic circles that the US approach to selecting participants could lead to broader changes in the way the alliance operates. Furthermore, it could affect relations among its members.
Diplomats reported that the US moves disappointed some allies, particularly since several of the countries not invited had met the defense spending targets set by the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Warning of the repercussions of divisions
One of the sources cited by Politico warned of the repercussions of dividing allies into groups, arguing that any attempt by Washington to distinguish between “good” and “bad” allies could backfire on the United States. The source also described the potential impact on Europe as a significant threat.
These developments come at a time when NATO members are discussing the future of defense cooperation and the distribution of burdens among member states. This is happening amid continued US pressure on allies to increase defense spending.