Current evolution of the transatlantic relations poses difficult dilemmas before the East-Central European countries, especially those who used to rely on partnership with the United States sometimes in defiance of the Berlin/ Brussels politics. Donald Trump’s intention to force the European allies to pay a “fair share” for the NATO security faces the unwillingness of the major EU powers to significantly increase defence spending amid their ambition to gain “strategic autonomy” in security and defence issues. Sandwiched between the US’s and EU’s visions of pragmatization of the transatlantic partnership against the backdrop of security crisis caused by Russian aggressive actions, the East-Central European countries including Ukraine have to search for effective ways of ensuring their own security while keeping balance in relations with both Washington and Berlin/Brussels.
PRAGMATIZATION OF THE TRANSATLANTIC PARTNERSHIP: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EAST-CENTRAL EUROPE
