The United States is demanding higher defense spending from allies.
(Photo: Reuters)
Washington Things are moving in the international defense alliance for Ukraine: the USA has agreed to deliver controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine, and US President Joe Biden has promised Ukraine extensive security obligations. But there is no end in sight to the war, and the counter-offensive by the Ukrainian troops is making slow progress.
In addition, the future of US military aid is uncertain. Parts of the Republican Party are questioning them – above all ex-President Donald Trump, who wants to move back into the White House in 2024 and stop the transfers worth billions.
Kay Bailey Hutchison served as the US government’s ambassador to NATO during Trump’s 2017-2021 tenure. In the interview, the Republican and former senator from the US state of Texas talks about the image of Germany in the USA, Biden’s Ukraine policy – and the election campaign of her former boss.
Read the full interview with Kay Bailey Hutchison here:
Ambassador Hutchison, one of the focal points at the NATO summit is the two percent target. Are higher defense spending the most important lesson from the Ukraine war?
A renewed two percent target is definitely overdue. I think Europe has woken up and realized that what America has long been pushing for is needed. We all have to do more, we need NATO’s deterrent effect more than ever.
Your former boss Donald Trump constantly grumbled about Germany during his tenure. In his view, the German defense budget was far too low. Is the federal government doing enough now?
Germany hesitated too long to take a leadership role, these are the aftermath of World War II. I think Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a very strong turn after the Russian invasion, and I commend him for that. But fundamentally, Germany is moving too slowly to meet its responsibilities and fulfill its commitments.
Because Germany is the strongest economic power in Europe, it must also take the lead in defense and deterrence. A great many politicians, government officials and citizens in America see it that way. We need Germany, and Germany can do a lot more than it is currently doing.
How do you see Joe Biden’s Ukraine policy?
The Ukrainians are doing an incredible feat to resist this massive army of Putin. But there is no question that a long standoff is very risky for Ukraine. Biden’s administration was correct in many respects and immediately pledged US support when the war broke out. Around 70 percent of the resources for Ukraine’s defense come from the United States.
But timing is a problem. Concerns about provoking Russia have made the Biden administration hesitant to provide critical weapons for too long. Longer-range missiles and powerful anti-aircraft defenses are capabilities Ukraine should have had months ago.
In Europe you start to get nervous reading the statements of some Republicans. Parts of your party want to abolish aid to Ukraine. How much longer will the US stand with Ukraine?
America will always be there for Ukraine, there is no doubt about that. While we want Europe to get more involved, our support for Ukraine is resolute, bipartisan and strong. There is sometimes a lot of noise.
>> Read here: Ex-General Hodges – “The only real security guarantee for Ukraine is NATO membership”
Trump also wants to overturn aid to Ukraine if he takes over the White House in 2024.
I hope our allies will not listen to rhetoric often used in election campaigns. You’d better look to the solid support in Congress. It’s not in danger.
Ambassador Hutchison, thank you for the interview.
More: The new Iron Curtain – How NATO prepares for a war with Russia