The European Union arises a difficult task for creating a new defensive strategy
In the midst of an unprecedented escalation of geopolitical tension and growing security problems, the European continent is faced with an existential problem, which requires a revision of the basis of its protective system. After many years, to rely on NATO support and American support, repeated statements by US President Donald Trump about the possibility of the United States to withdraw from the European leaders all the sensitivity of the inevitable danger. These threats are no longer just diplomatic maneuvers, but rather a strategic problem that pushed European capitals to a feverish race to ensure their national and command security, in a decisive desire for long -awaited defensive independence.
Since the creation of NATO (NATO) in 1949, the United States played the role of the real leader of the Alliance not only thanks to the huge financial and military deposits, but also by providing a nuclear umbrella and strategic leadership.
For decades, Washington experienced about 70 percent of the total expenses for defensive alliances; This made him dominant force in making European security decisions. Indeed, during the Cold War, the American contribution was clear and decisive; Washington launched hundreds of thousands of his soldiers in Europe, created strategic military bases in Germany, Great Britain and Italy, and provided advanced missile defense systems.
This difficult military presence was only a defensive obligation, but rather a tool to ensure the influence of the American European continent. Statistics show that the United States spend about 750 billion dollars a year on defense, which is 3.5 percent of their gross domestic product, compared with an average level of 1.6 percent for the member states of European countries. Therefore, this egregious inequality in Washington had a huge impact on the definition of the priorities and strategies of the alliance. However, this issue is not limited to absolute numbers. The United States introduce about 22 percent of the NATO operating budget, while Germany, France and Great Britain united only about 35 percent; This made this unequal distribution of financial burden aimed at constant criticism from consecutive American departments.
From protection to claim
Since Donald Trump took over the government of the government in Washington, he was not late, directing the arrows of criticism of his European allies, accusing them of not fulfilling their financial obligations regarding NATO, excessive dependence on American protection and even invasion, according to his obvious expression during his election campaign for 2024.
Then, returning to the White House, his tone was amazingly crap, urging Europeans to increase their protective costs to 5 percent of GDP, an unprecedented ceiling that exceeds even American expenses. Perhaps the most outstanding thing that Trump said in this context was during the election meeting in Ohio, in which he asked: “Why do we protect countries that do not pay what is on them?
Trump’s demands, and if they seemed exaggerated, caused deep concern in the European capitals, especially in the light of the continuation of the war in Ukraine and an increase in Russian threats; Who returned to the forefront the old question: can Europe protect itself?
Perhaps the most outstanding evidence of this shift was the words of high -ranking European officials who support “strategic independence”. At the press and conferences, this phrase has become the main political agenda of the day to form the focus of discussions about the future of European security. France President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with Financial Times: “The initiative adopted by President Trump, and its decision to separate Europe from the American umbrella, is a positive electric shock, which forces the European Union to accelerate its transformation towards greater strategic independence … that Trump says to Europe is that you bear the burden on yourself, and I say, let me, let me, let me, let it be, let me, let me, let me, let me, let it be. We will take responsibility. ”
The same dialect was adopted by the German Chancellor Olaf Shullal, saying during his visit to Paris on January 22, 2025: “It is clear that Trump’s presidency will be a problem that should be encountered, Europe will not retreat and will not be hidden, but will be a constructive and confidential partner.”
At the press conference organized by Ursula Fu Der Line on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his assumption about the presidency of the European Commission, this latter admitted that “Europe must fulfill its duties and bear responsibility for protecting itself without relying on Washington.
National initiatives … to increase strength
Before this new reality, the European countries were hasty separately in order to improve their protective capabilities in an unprecedented way, trying to coordinate efforts at the continental level.
For example, France continues, led by President Emmanuel Macron to pay his ambitious plan for military modernization in the amount of 413 billion euros until 2030. This plan was focused on the development of nuclear capabilities, cyberspace and advanced military industries, including artificial mind in the military field. In addition, Paris is leading large projects, such as the future European combat aircraft (SCAF) and the new MGCS in cooperation with Germany. At a wonderful step, France recently announced plans to strengthen its units for air and missile defense, in the light of lessons extracted from the conflict in Ukraine.
As for Germany, it allocated 100 billion euros to the Bundesphali Modernization Fund with significant investment in air defense systems, in addition to modern weapons and active participation in joint European projects. It is noteworthy that Berlin has already begun to accelerate the rate of defense costs after many years of rigid savings.
On the other hand, Poland and the Baltic states, which feel a direct threat from Russia, went wide into service. Poland made huge transactions to buy advanced American systems, including Abrams tanks, F -35 aircraft and Patriot, in addition to investing in promoting border protection and military infrastructure; In anticipation of any emergency. In the same context, Italy, Spain and the Scandinavian countries are concerned about the modernization of their military and air forces participating in several European programs, such as Eurodron and the development of cybersecurity. And the last, but no less important: other countries, such as Finland and Sweden, are trying to accelerate their integration into NATO after a historical refusal of neutrality, and vice versa, such countries as Hungary and Austria, demonstrate reservation from complete European solidarity; Which reflects the differences in visions in the Union.
New partnerships
In the midst of these transformations and in the light of the tension of American relations between the European Union and Canada, a clear rapprochement appeared, based on a common vision of multilateral security. And from the interest of Europe and Canada, to combine its ranks in order to satisfy the constant influence of President Trump’s policy. In this context, two parties signed in May 2025 a “European action plan in European Canada for Security and Protection”, which provides for the promotion of joint military training, the development of monitoring systems of the Atlantic coast and coordination of efforts to combat cyber -heating. “We are natural partners,” said the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at a joint security conference in Brussels. Canada believes that the security of Europe is also associated with the safety of the North Atlantic, and we refuse to leave our allies before their fate. “
As for relations with Britain, which left the European Union, but did not leave the geography of the continent, but protective relations became witnesses to the new boom after the long tension followed by Brexit. In March 2025, London and Brussels announced the creation of the “European Bleaner Council on Security and Defense” to regularly coordinate security policy. British Prime Minister Kiir Starkmer emphasized: “Perhaps we left the trade union, but we did not leave Europe. Current safety problems are used to stand together … Britain will remain a balanced force on the continent. ”
