Politico: Trump considers NATO deal to block Ukraine, Georgia membership

Former US President Donald Trump is preparing a plan for future relations with NATO, which he aims to implement if elected for a new term as president, according to Politico.

Sources from Trump’s team, including experts who served on the Trump administration’s National Security Council, provided the information. Trump has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with European NATO members for spending significantly less on the alliance compared to the United States. He has not ruled out the possibility of withdrawing the US from NATO. According to Politico’s sources, Trump’s second term would bring significant changes to NATO, even if a formal withdrawal does not occur.

Regarding Ukraine, two sources indicated that Trump is considering a deal in which NATO would halt further eastward expansion and not admit Ukraine and Georgia as new members. Additionally, Trump is negotiating with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding which parts of Ukraine could remain under Moscow’s control.

Since 2014, Russia has annexed Crimea and, following the large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, has occupied parts of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson regions. Prior to the war, one of Russia’s demands was for NATO to abandon its plans to admit Ukraine. Ukraine aims for NATO membership and the full restoration of its territorial integrity.

The United States presidential election is scheduled for November 5, 2024, with Donald Trump as the Republican candidate and current President Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate.