USA (Transatlantic Today)—As Russia’s aggression and the ongoing war in Ukraine intensify, Europe faces a crucial challenge: building a strong defense without over-relying on the United States. The push to meet NATO’s 2% defense spending goal is a start, but Europe must also focus on strengthening its military capabilities.
European defense must focus on two main objectives. First, Europe should develop conventional military capabilities to counter Russia, with the capacity to handle defense without needing extensive US reinforcements. Second, it must build crisis management forces to handle regional threats independently.
Achieving these goals would allow Europe to act as the first responder in its neighborhood, reducing dependence on the US and enabling a more balanced transatlantic defense strategy. This approach requires stronger NATO-EU coordination and industrial cooperation, ensuring Europe is ready for both regional and global challenges. The upcoming NATO summit offers an opportunity to formalize these objectives and ensure Europe’s strategic autonomy in defense.
