“Is Europe Finally Awakening? A Look at the Shift from Military Apathy to Action” | CNN

In Europe, a recent event has sparked discussions about defense, alliance, and security like never before. It involved a surprising confrontation between Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. This clash left many Europeans questioning whether the U.S. would still support them against Russian threats.

Some experts, like European lawmaker Raphaël Glucksmann, compared the situation to a hypothetical scenario where Roosevelt verbally attacked Churchill. This notion echoes the growing anxiety in Europe about its reliance on American military support, a sentiment amplified by remarks from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who called Europe “PATHETIC” for not contributing enough to defense.

In response to this pressure, many European countries are reconsidering their defense policies. Notably, Germany, the largest economy in Europe, has taken a bold step by planning to eliminate its constitutional “debt brake.” This change could release up to €600 billion (about $652 billion) for defense spending over the next decade.

This transformation is seen as a critical shift, with defense expert Piotr Buras from the European Council on Foreign Relations calling it a “game-changer.” He noted that Germany’s past hesitance to spend on military matters is fading after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, asserting that this is a real turning point for Europe.

Additionally, France is now exploring deeper alliances, considering the extension of its nuclear protection to allies. This comes after discussions about collaboration on defense among European powers.

However, Eastern European nations like Poland and the Baltic states are making even bolder moves. They’ve opted out of key disarmament treaties and are ramping up military procurement, including thousands of landmines. Lithuania has even withdrawn from an international treaty banning cluster munitions, marking a significant shift in military policy.

Conscription is also making a comeback. Denmark plans to include women in mandatory military service from 2026, while Poland aims to ensure that all adult males receive military training. These measures reflect a renewed focus on national security across the continent.

Even traditionally neutral countries like Ireland are reconsidering their military stances. Ireland’s government is considering allowing troop deployments without needing UN approval, a move that underscores the escalating tensions in Europe.

This pivot in defense thinking shows that European countries can no longer rely solely on U.S. military backing. As this shift progresses, some nations are also reassessing expensive military purchases from the U.S., like the F-35 jets, looking instead at more accessible European alternatives for their arms supplies.

However, achieving a unified defense strategy might be a challenge. Discussions about a new EU plan for defense spending faced pushback from countries like Spain and Italy. Spain’s Prime Minister highlighted that their challenges differ from those faced by nations closer to Russia, showcasing regional disparities in defense priorities.

Gabriel Landsbergis, Lithuania’s former foreign minister, expressed frustration with Spain’s perspective, emphasizing that the threat from Russia feels much more immediate in Eastern Europe.

Nevertheless, experts remind us that complete unity in Europe is an “illusion.” What truly matters is how key nations like Germany, France, the UK, and Poland respond. With recent developments, many believe Europe is now on a more assertive path regarding its defense.

As Buras put it, while Europe may have “woken up,” the real task ahead is to solidify this momentum into actionable strategies and stronger alliances.

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