Former NATO Secretary General recommends new transatlantic burden-sharing formula following Donald Trump’s re-election
For immediate release:
Anders Fogh Rasmussen today presented recommendations for a new European security plan for Ukraine.
Following the re-election of US president Donald Trump, Mr. Rasmussen argues that an acceptable resolution to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will require Europe and Ukraine to together strike a mutually beneficial deal with the president-elect. This agreement must be defined by a renewed burden-sharing formula that would see Europe assuming greater responsibility for European and Ukrainian security—both now and in the future.
Key recommendations from Mr. Rasmussen’s proposal include:
- A gradual transition from a roughly 50-50 burden-sharing formula in Ukraine to one which would see Europe assuming 70 per cent of the costs associated with Ukraine’s short- and long-term security.
- A European led train-and-advise mission in western Ukraine as both immediate support for Ukraine and a long-term demonstration of Europe’s commitment to leading future peace-enforcement deployments.
- An increase of NATO’s defence spending target to three per cent of GDP, and a commitment that 0.5 per cent of allies’ GDP would be spent on support for Ukraine.
- Robust European-backed security guarantees for Ukraine as an interim measure prior to Ukraine’s NATO accession.
- The replacement of all Russian LNG imports to Europe with imports primarily from the United States.
Speaking in Brussels following the release of his recommendations, Mr. Rasmussen said:
“Europe faces an existential threat. The security model that has underpinned peace and prosperity in Europe for decades no longer exists—and it is not coming back. Europe urgently needs a security plan that can counter Russia’s aggression, help secure a sustainable peace in Ukraine, and keep the United States engaged in the transatlantic alliance.”
Mr. Rasmussen’s full proposal can be found here.
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For media: media@rasmussenglobal.com