It's become a joke - through gritted teeth - these days in EU circles, that whenever leaders meet, as they did these last two days in Cyprus - expecting to discuss practicalities such as the new EU budget - they get railroaded by yet another crisis.
There is the ongoing energy crisis provoked by the US-Israel war on Iran, Russia's aggression in neighboring Ukraine, now in its fourth year. And this Friday morning, souring relations between Europe and the United States, along with a potentially devastating defense impact, reared its Medusa-like head.
No worries, Spain's determined-to-appear calm Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, said to waiting journalists as he arrived at the leaders' summit. We are fulfilling our obligations toward NATO.\
However, his remarks came in the context of a leaked email from the US Pentagon suggesting punitive measures for allies, especially targeting Spain for its stance on the US-Israel campaign against Iran.
While European leaders expressed solidarity with Spain, emphasizing that it remains a full NATO member, the situation has raised concerns over the future of transatlantic relations, especially as tensions continue to rise in the face of a shifting geopolitical landscape.
European leaders are exploring a mutual defense clause under EU treaties, anticipating that NATO's Article 5 might falter under current circumstances, highlighting growing anxiety over the US's commitment to its European allies.
