American Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Europe on Wednesday evening, where he will have much to do convincing American leaders at a time when the United States is struggling to release aid to Ukraine and in Donald Trump's shadow appear to be paralyzed.
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Mr. Blinken, who is scheduled to attend the Munich Security Conference on Friday and Saturday alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, will first travel to Tirana, Albania, to reiterate U.S. support for this key Balkan ally.
But military aid to Ukraine, which is slowly running out of ammunition against Russia, and former President Donald Trump's comments questioning NATO will overshadow this turbulent tour.
The US Senate on Tuesday approved a $95 billion budget package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with a comfortable majority, but its final passage depends on the Republican-dominated House of Representatives, whose “Speaker” (President) refuses to accept the text to submit vote.
And last Saturday, former President Trump said he would “encourage” Russia to attack defense alliance countries if they didn't pay their share, sparking an outcry in Europe and the United States.
“It’s stupid, it’s undignified, it’s dangerous, it’s un-American,” US President Joe Biden said during a speech at the White House on Tuesday.
Every year, the Munich Conference brings together the defense elite from around the world and is intended to be a true barometer of transatlantic relations.
Indeed, in Europe, many officials are concerned about uncertainty over U.S. support for Kiev at a time when Republican Donald Trump could return to the White House in November.
“What is very clear (…) is that those watching the United States appear nervous. I think the United States is still seen internationally as an influential player, both positive and negative. But I think there are more and more worries, fears and unease about uncertainty, unpredictability, polarization and division,” the President of the Crisis Group assured AFP. Comfort Ero in a recent interview.
In Washington, American officials are trying to put on a good face, while Mr. Blinken will arrive in Munich de facto empty-handed.
“I think they (allies) will be pleased with the size of the vote (in the Senate) and the president's support for the legislation as it is developed, which will give us a strong position in this area,” believes Jim O “Brien, Undersecretary of State for Europe.
The Albanian ally
Before Munich, the head of American diplomacy is traveling to Albania to “reaffirm the strength of bilateral relations with this important partner for stability in the Balkans,” a senior Defense Department official told reporters on Tuesday. State, Yuri Kim.
Albania has turned decisively to the West after decades of isolation under the communist regime of Enver Hoxha. The small Balkan country joined NATO in 2009 and is a candidate for the European Union.
This will be Blinken's first visit to Tirana since taking office three years ago.
“We would like to highlight and highlight the excellent cooperation we have with Albania and thank them for welcoming the Afghans,” said Ms. Kim, who worked with the United States after the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in August 2021.
Mr Blinken will meet with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and take part in a meeting with around a hundred young Albanians.