WASHINGTON, April 15 (Xinhua) -- A fallback plan for Europe to defend itself using NATO's existing military structures in case of a U.S. departure is gaining traction, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Tuesday.
The plan, first conceived last year, aims to place more Europeans in NATO command-and-control roles and supplement U.S. military assets with European ones, said the report, adding that it is being advanced through informal discussions within the alliance.
According to the report, the goal is to maintain deterrence against Russia and operational continuity even if Washington withdraws forces or refuses to defend Europe, as U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened.
The urgency has increased after Trump's threat to seize Greenland from Denmark and a standoff over Europe's refusal to back the U.S. war on Iran, said the WSJ.
Germany, a long-time opponent of a "go-it-alone" approach, has now given its support to the plan, which is crucial for its advancement, said the report.
The political shift is occurring under German Chancellor Friedrich Merz due to concerns about the United States' dependability as an ally, the WSJ cited sources familiar with his thinking as saying. ■