• PolandIsAStateOfMind@lemmy.ml
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    5 hours ago

    Anyone else remember when libs were fearmongering that Trump will leave NATO and leftists said “don’t threaten me with a good time”?

    • Phoenixz@lemmy.ca
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      6 hours ago

      Of course not, it was the entire idea.

      This message is so obviously sucking his asshole, they couldn’t be more obvious yet Trump obviously has no idea

      The cheeto really has a long list of mental issues, doesn’t he?

    • Darkenfolk@sh.itjust.works
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      15 hours ago

      Eh, looks like rutte writes English in the same way that he speaks it. Honestly I first thought that it was a shitpost, but no, it seems legit.

      • ☆ Yσɠƚԋσʂ ☆@lemmy.ml
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        15 hours ago

        Rutte’s unique approach to English merely reflects the fact that his intellectual ceiling would challenge even the most ambitious root vegetable.

  • geneva_convenience@lemmy.mlOP
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    18 hours ago

    By the way Rutte changed the wording in the agreement to be more vague as to what ‘allies’ means because Spain refused to agree to 5%.

  • djsoren19@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    18 hours ago

    obviously, I doubt Rutte was expecting this message to be shared. If he wasn’t a complete moron and actually doing this just to stroke his own ego, I’d actually give Donald props for leaking it, as Rutte kissing Donald’s ass makes him look terrible, and more broadly makes the European parts of NATO look terrible.

    I imagine Rutte’s intent is to stroke Trump’s ego to try and keep him interested in NATO, but I feel like that’s a fool’s errand. Trump doesn’t give a shit about anyone else but himself. This new agreement, with NATO signatories needing to commit 5% of their GDP, feels like a grift for the benefit of U.S. defense contractors. The U.S. cannot be trusted to actually honor their agreements anymore, so why pay more into their alliance? Is Europe really that scared of further Russian aggression?

    • geneva_convenience@lemmy.mlOP
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      18 hours ago

      Europeans online think that Rutte is ‘masterfully manipulating’ Trump by talking to him like a 5 year old and are extremely proud of this.

    • Kickforce@lemmy.wtf
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      15 hours ago

      Well Rutte’s job is basically to keep NATO together, can’t blame him for trying. Personally I would not be sad if NATO chucked the US and told them to pack their bases all around Europe and go home. But I understand Rutte’s position.

      • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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        15 hours ago

        I’d love it if that happened, but that would also mean the dissolution of NATO, so I don’t see why NATO would motion to kill itself voluntarily.

    • JillyB@beehaw.org
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      17 hours ago

      This new agreement, with NATO signatories needing to commit 5% of their GDP, feels like a grift for the benefit of U.S. defense contractors. The U.S. cannot be trusted to actually honor their agreements anymore, so why pay more into their alliance? Is Europe really that scared of further Russian aggression?

      They’re massively investing in European defense industry, not just buying more from the US. They are scared of Russian aggression and they are scared the US will not honor NATO agreements which is why they’re committing so hard to defense spending. Also, I believe it’s 3.5% for military and 1.5% for infrastructure.

        • JillyB@beehaw.org
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          13 hours ago

          They are also spending big on domestic arms production. France will be a big winner out of this since they’ve long valued independent military arms production and the rest of Europe will want to buy French stuff (yes along with American stuff) while they get their arms production up and running. South Korea is also a big arms supplier internationally.

          The reduction in US support for NATO is largely part of a pivot to focusing on Taiwan and China. The US military industry would love it if the US focused on both and kept cozy relations with europe. I’m sure they’re happy with the whole world increasing defense spending amid rising tensions, but they aren’t happy about the US scaring away customers. I hate how involved the US military is globally but acting like Trump is some mastermind of American imperialism is reductive and giving him too much credit. The thought that Europe shouldn’t be worried about Russia (the ones currently invading a European country) is bonkers.

    • wurzelgummidge@lemmy.ml
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      9 hours ago

      Is Europe really that scared of further Russian aggression?

      Western Europe is afraid of Russia gaining influence in regions and resource rich areas that they seeks to dominate.