Trump wants Europe to spend more on defence. He’s right
Europe faces an existential choice to emerge as a heavyweight competitor or risk being marginalised on the world stage
For years, I have taken every opportunity to urge the European Union and its member states to invest more in defence. When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I repeatedly asked (as a member of the European Parliament) what further proof we would need to recognise the threats facing all of Europe. What would we – as Europeans – do if our security was threatened while our closest ally, the United States, was otherwise engaged?
Today, we confront that very situation. US officials are openly stating that they do not intend to devote most of their time or resources to dealing with what they deem European issues. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the US has “other priorities to focus on”.