NATO leaders are slated to gather in Washington to celebrate the alliance's 75th anniversary, aspiring to show a united and strong front amid shaky grounds with the United States as the future remains uncertain in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The summit, marked by anxiety from the US' allies, reflects the political uncertainties on both sides of the Atlantic; European allies are particularly uneasy about the potential return of former US President Donald Trump.

During his first term, Trump was critical of NATO, and his possible reelection raises questions about the future US commitment to the alliance. "Trump repeatedly voiced his antipathy to NATO in his first term, and in the most recent debate declined to say whether he would pull the United States out of the alliance," the Washington Post said.

European diplomats, meanwhile, are bracing for various scenarios, fearing that Trump might weaken US support for NATO and undermine the front that they have been seeking to paint as united despite many intra-alliance differences.

The current US election cycle is also causing concern. Sergey Radchenko, a historian at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, expressed on social media, "This election is doing more to discredit American democracy than [Russian President] Vladimir Putin and [Chinese President] Xi Jinping could ever hope to."

Rise of Europe's far-right adds to political tension

In Europe, the rise of populist and far-right factions adds to the political tension as they gained traction in recent elections.

Related News

US, China to resume talks in Madrid; tariffs, TikTok on agenda

China warns Philippines against provocations in South China Sea

Josh Rogin of the Washington Post noted, "With Trump's possible return looming, the best way to ensure Ukraine's long-term security is to give Ukraine more capability to actually defeat Russia." This includes providing air defense systems, fighter jets, and longer-range rockets.

NATO Secretary-General-elect, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, urged his European colleagues to adapt to political changes in Washington, saying, "We should stop moaning and whining and nagging about Trump."

World bracing for potential Trump win

Politico reported on Sunday that the world is gearing up for Trump's potential electoral victory. NATO, for instance, has laid out a comprehensive plan to ensure sustained military support for Ukraine. The purpose of doing so is to avoid potential interference of a future Trump administration, as per the report.

Despite uncertainties, preparations are in full swing. With more than six months before the next US president takes office, NATO and its allies are implementing a multifaceted strategy.

This approach includes fostering personal connections with Trump and his advisors, adjusting policies to appease his political base, and instituting diplomatic safeguards to protect NATO's strategic interests.

Reflecting on these efforts, NATO leaders acknowledge the need for resilience in the face of potential disruptions. Their collective aim is to fortify their alliance against the backdrop of evolving US leadership dynamics.

Concerns have been mounting within the alliance  due to a potential return of Trump to office, as Politico spoke with 20 people connected to NATO or the alliance's upcoming summit over the past month and found that many allies already had quiet reservations about putting their trust in Biden well before the debate.

Now, Biden must convince his counterparts that he's not only up for the fight but also capable of overcoming a political crisis to remain in it.

"We all want Biden to have a second term to avoid dealing with Trump again, but this isn't reassuring," an official was quoted as saying by Politico.

The officials are also expressing concerns about Biden's age and health, according to the report. "We're not sure that, even if he wins, he can survive four more years," an official was quoted as saying by Politico.