The Transatlantic Bargain Between the United States and European States and the Transformation of NATO (1949–2025)

The aim of the article is an analysis of the transatlantic bargain between the United States and Europe in a historical perspective since the establishment of NATO in 1949 till the Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022. NATO is described as a transatlantic bargain meaning that the United States commits itself to remain involved in European security arrangements, and Europe contributes significantly to a system of collective defence. The transatlantic bargain remained a crucial foundation for the partnership between the United States and Europe during the Cold War when the Soviet Union constituted a tangible threat. After the Cold War, there have been many problems in the transatlantic bargain, but Russia’s attack on Ukraine in 2022 highlighted the importance of NATO as a defence alliance. However, the transatlantic bargain may be challenged by the transactional and unilateral approach of President Donald Trump, who returned to power in 2025.