A number of NATO countries intend, at the initiative of France and Germany, to revise the strategic concept of the alliance.

The head of the French Ministry of Defense Florence Parley told about this during a speech in the Senate. 

She noted that the reason was the creation of the AUKUS defense and security partnership agreement between the United States, Great Britain and Australia, as well as the termination of the contract for the purchase of combat submarines between Canberra and Paris. 

“What conclusions can be drawn in connection with the termination of the contract for the supply of submarines?

Should we leave NATO by slamming the door?

I do not think that such a step should be taken, ”the TASS minister is quoted as saying.

She added that the last months in the life of the alliance were turbulent, specifying that it is about "Turkey's adventurous actions in the Mediterranean, as well as a hasty and uncoordinated withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan."

"The US position on the French submarine supply contract is yet another confirmation of what we have been stating for many months that there is currently no political dialogue in NATO," Parley said.

The minister recalled that the main task of NATO is not "confrontation with China", but the maintenance of transatlantic security: "We must remind the United States of this."

“It was in connection with this situation that the Allies decided, acting on the initiative of France and Germany, to begin a revision of NATO's strategic concept.

This work will allow us to clarify the strategic concept in the future of the upcoming NATO summit in Madrid and coordinate it with the EU's Strategic Compass roadmap, she said.

According to the head of the French defense department, "being an ally does not mean being hostage to the interests of another (state. -

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Alexei Podberezkin, director of the Center for Military-Political Studies at MGIMO, commenting on RT's NATO initiative, doubted that there were real opportunities behind Parley's remark.

“NATO's strategy is 90% predetermined by the US strategy.

The military-technical capabilities of NATO are determined by the military-technical capabilities of the United States.

What was declared by the French Minister of Defense means only one thing: that they are annoyed there and declare that they are ready to talk about something.

But after this conversation, nothing will be done in reality, ”the expert said.

In turn, Vladimir Shapovalov, deputy director of the Institute of History and Politics at Moscow State Pedagogical University, noted that if relations between the United States and France continue to deteriorate, “even the loyal and Euro-Atlanticist Emmanuel Macron will remember the policy aimed at the independence of France”.

The expert clarified that the likelihood of such a development of events is low. 

“But, obviously, this crisis has hurt the US-French relations.

More and more often we are talking about the European army, in this case the Franco-German solidarity is not accidental.

The increasing distance between the Anglo-Saxon countries and the countries of continental Europe actualizes the idea of ​​a European army or a continental European military alliance, separate from NATO, as an independent structure, ”the analyst said.

On September 15, the United States, Great Britain and Australia announced the formation of the AUKUS defense alliance, within which, in particular, the American side promised to transfer technology to Canberra for building its own nuclear submarines, as well as US cruise missiles.

Against this background, Australia tore up the € 56 billion contract, which involved the supply of 12 French Attack class attack submarines.

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian harshly condemned Australia's decision, calling it a "stab in the back."

After that, Paris opposed the EU free trade negotiations with Australia, and also canceled the meeting of the French and British defense ministers. 

“Keeping the word is a condition of trust between democracies and allies, so as if nothing had happened to move forward in trade negotiations with a country we no longer trust is unthinkable,” said Clement Bone, Secretary of State for European Affairs at the French Foreign Ministry.

In addition, France recalled its ambassadors from Washington and Australia.

At the same time, the White House press service, following a telephone conversation between American and French presidents Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron, announced that the French ambassador would return to Washington next week.

In turn, White House spokesman Jen Psaki, commenting on the situation, assured that Paris was informed about the creation of AUKUS before the official announcement of this.

Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton clarified that at first Australia allows the lease of submarines from the United States.

Australian Finance Minister Simon Birmingham explained that this will help Australian sailors acquire the necessary skills and modernize the Australian port infrastructure necessary for the operation of nuclear submarines.