NATO is a defensive alliance, bound by shared principles of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law, and founded on the ironclad commitment to collective defense under Article 5 of the NATO treaty. The National Security Strategy calls for broadening and deepening the transatlantic relationship to defend and strengthen the rules-based system and our shared democratic values.
In the competition between democratic governments and autocratic regimes that reject the rules-based international system, our allies and partners are the United States’ greatest advantage. The transatlantic alliance is now confronted by the acute threat of aggression from Russia, which has demonstrated its willingness to use military force to expand its territorial claims, illegally attack the sovereignty of its neighbors, and coerce political, economic, and other concessions from our European allies and partners
Confronting this threat to democracy requires ongoing diplomatic, economic, and military support, in close coordination with allies and partners, for Ukraine in its self-defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for Ukraine’s eventual recovery needs. The United States and our transatlantic allies must continue to coordinate policies and actions to deny Russian ambitions, impose severe costs on Russia, prevent Russia from weaponizing energy to coerce others, and support Ukraine in its self-defense.
Beyond the crisis in Ukraine, coordination with our transatlantic allies and partners is critical for responses to the pressing global challenges and to set international standards on trade and technology. A key shared challenge is hastening a global clean energy transition, which will serve both to increase energy security and reduce energy dependence on Russia. The United States can also work with our transatlantic allies and partners to establish more resilient supply chains consistent with our national security interests, and engage diplomatically with the European Union and through the G-7 group of like-minded nations to foster unity based on common values. We must work jointly to uphold human rights and fight corruption. All this will require greater strategic alignment through consultation, information sharing, and coordinated implementation across the transatlantic relationship.
