America’s Alliance with Britain and Europe Will Endure

President Barack Obama, March 14, 2016 (photo: State Department)This may be the most important moment for our transatlantic alliance since the end of the cold war.

As I arrive in Warsaw for meetings with Nato and EU leaders, I believe that our nations must summon the political will, and make concrete commitments, to meet these urgent challenges. I believe we can — but only if we stand united as true allies and partners….

The special relationship between the US and the UK will endure. I have no doubt that the UK will remain one of Nato’s most capable members — a nation that pays its full share for our common security and is a leading contributor to alliance missions. And, given the current threats facing Europe, I fully expect that Britain will continue to be a major contributor to European security….

In Warsaw, we must reaffirm our determination — our duty under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty — to defend every Nato ally. We need to bolster the defence of our allies in central and eastern Europe, strengthen deterrence and boost our resilience against new threats, including cyber attacks. We need to deepen security co-operation between Nato and the EU and increase our support for Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity. And even as our nations remain open to a more constructive relationship with Russia, we should agree that sanctions on Russia must remain in place until Moscow fully implements its obligations under the Minsk agreements….

Finally, given the range of challenges we face, it is essential that Nato members continue to invest more in our common defence….

Our transatlantic alliance has succeeded for nearly 70 years because we recognise that, even as the world changes and threats evolve, our nations are more secure when we stand together. And we are more than just military allies. We are united by our enduring commitment to shared values — democracy, pluralism and inclusive societies strengthened by our rich diversity of backgrounds and faiths.

Barack Obama is President of the United States of America.

Image: President Barack Obama, March 14, 2016 (photo: State Department)