EU Ramps Up Crisis Testing, Convinced US Security Priorities Lie Elsewhere

The European Union is set to ramp up tests on rules that oblige the bloc’s 27 member countries to help each other in times of crisis, as the reality sinks in that Washington’s commitment to NATO and security in Europe under U.S. President Donald Trump is evaporating.

At a summit in Cyprus starting later Thursday, leaders will work on “an operational plan” to make best use of the EU’s military, security, trade policy and other assets in times of need, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said.

In mid-May, EU envoys will take part in “table-top exercises” to game out how Article 42.7 of the bloc’s treaties could be used to provide collective assistance to a nation in the event of an attack or an invasion by a country like Russia. (AP)