The strategy also criticised Europe’s migration policies, demographic trends, and regulatory approach, while signalling Washington’s interest in eventually stabilising relations with Russia.
This has fuelled concerns in Brussels that Europe may no longer be able to rely on unconditional U.S. security guarantees.
Europe Pushes Back
Can Europe defend itself without America?
European officials responded swiftly.
EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis rejected the U.S. assessment, calling for greater European assertiveness. Council President António Costa and foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas dismissed suggestions that Washington should influence Europe’s internal political choices.
They emphasized a core principle: allies do not interfere in each other’s democratic decisions.
The exchange underscored a growing transatlantic divide—not just over Ukraine, but over Europe’s long-term strategic autonomy.
A Race Against Structural Limits
Despite rising budgets and political momentum, experts warn that money alone will not solve Europe’s defence problem.
Séamus Boland of the European Economic and Social Committee described Europe as an attractive target precisely because of its democratic constraints. EU defence officials acknowledge deep structural challenges: regulatory bottlenecks, slow procurement cycles, and fragmented industrial capacity.
