Fewer US weapons for Nato: can Europe defend itself?

Eerik-Niiles Kross, a member of parliament for the ruling Liberal Reform Party, expresses concern in Postimees about the security of the Baltic states:

“Such a shift would have a particularly negative impact on deterrence on Nato’s eastern flank. Essentially, the US is saying that in future it no longer wishes to participate in that part of the Nato defence plan which provides for long-range strikes aimed at targets deep inside Russian territory should Russia cross the border of a Nato state. … Russia possesses strike capabilities directed towards Europe, the US is reducing its contribution as pledged in Nato plans, and Europe’s own conventional capabilities beyond the 2,000- kilometre range are still under development. The quickest solution for Europe would be not to wait for the ideal European missile, but to purchase and produce interim solutions immediately.”