The current US administration is less focused on Euro-Atlantic integration so European allies should strengthen their own defenses, as Washington is now focusing on the India-Pacific.

This was stated by Amb.Alexander Vershbow, Distinguished Fello, Atlantic Council, Deputy Secretary General of NATO (2012-16) at the 17 th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE GLOBAL AGGRESSOR”, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.

At the same time, he remains certain that despite certain changes in its political agenda, the US remains committed to the Alliance and support of Ukraine.

“Many Americans are concerned about the direction President Trump wants to pursue, but he has assured his voters that he remains committed to NATO and achieving a just peace for Ukraine,” Alexander Vershbow emphasized.

In his opinion, the United States increasingly focus now on security in the India- Pacific. Hence, European states should concentrate more on their own security. In particular, they can distribute all responsibility, duties, and burdens in a more balanced way among themselves at the upcoming NATO summit this June.

“President Trump may U-turn the traditional direction of the US policy. More importantly today, though, is to maintain military support of Ukraine, even if the President fails to strike deals on ceasefire,” the Ambassador emphasized.

The Kyiv Security Forum, founded by Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s “Open Ukraine” foundation, is the main platform of our state for discussing the problems of war and peace, national and world security.