Other allies, however, reacted angrily to Macron’s remarks, which they regarded as reckless and damaging. U.S. President Donald Trump called Macron’s statement „very insulting to a lot of different forces.“
Still, NATO leaders agreed at a summit held outside of London in December that Stoltenberg should head up a „reflection process“ as a way of moving past the controversy and perhaps avoid such schisms in the future.
On Tuesday, ahead of a meeting this week of NATO foreign ministers, Stoltenberg announced that he had appointed 10 experts — five men and five women — to help him reflect.
The group will be co-chaired by Thomas de Maizière, a member of the Bundestag and former German defense minister who is a longtime ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel, and by A. Wess Mitchell, a former assistant secretary of state for European affairs in Trump’s administration.
Stoltenberg often reminds listeners that NATO is a defensive — not offensive — alliance. And he now has a new talking point: NATO is reflective, not reflexive.
In a press release, NATO said the group „will offer recommendations to reinforce Alliance unity, increase political consultation and coordination between Allies, and strengthen NATO’s political role.“
Source: politico.com
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