The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is facing a period of deep uncertainty as Washington engages in high-level diplomatic discussions with Moscow, raising fears among European allies that the military alliance could be weakened. Reports indicate that US-Russia negotiations, held in neutral venues such as Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, are aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and improving diplomatic relations between the two powers. However, NATO diplomats worry that these developments could result in a reduced American military presence in Europe, which they see as a serious threat to the bloc’s cohesion and future viability.

According to AFP, citing unnamed Western diplomats, the potential shift in Washington’s foreign policy-especially under US President Donald Trump’s influence-has fueled concerns that NATO could lose its most critical backer. One NATO diplomat stated, “We know the direction: less US in the alliance. Our interest is to keep the maximum US in the alliance.”

This apprehension comes amid broader strategic changes in US foreign policy. During his presidency, Trump frequently questioned NATO’s relevance, criticized European allies for not spending enough on defense, and even suggested that he might not honor NATO’s mutual defense clause under Article 5. His re-engagement with Russia, should he return to the White House, is seen as a potential game-changer that could significantly alter the geopolitical landscape.

European NATO members have long relied on American military power as the bedrock of their security. While European nations have increased their military spending-partly in response to Russia’s........

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