Europe must step up urgently to improve its defense and make NATO 'more European to maintain its strength', as the US has shaken the transatlantic relationship to its foundation, warned Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief.
Speaking at a defense conference, Kallas emphasized that although the US remains an ally, history demonstrates that no great power has survived by outsourcing its own survival. The remarks come amid heightened tensions following President Trump's controversial comments about Greenland and suggestions of European self-reliance in defense.
Kallas's statements aim to change the perception within Europe, urging nations to act collectively rather than individually in matters of defense. Recent comments from NATO leader Mark Rutte, suggesting that Europe could not defend itself without US support, sparked backlash and reinforced Kallas's stance that Europe must take control of its security.
In response, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot asserted that Europeans must take charge of their security, aligning with Kallas's vision of a distinct European defense strategy within NATO. The shift in US policy and its implications have been highlighted by Kallas as not just temporary but structural, necessitating a reassessment of Europe's defense dynamics.
As NATO's founding purpose was to guarantee member states' security against threats, the current geopolitical climate, particularly with the rise of a more assertive Russia, calls for renewed commitment and independence in Europe. Kallas's plea, accompanied by the EU Defense Commissioner's similar calls for European responsibility in security, paints a picture of an urgent need for the 'sleeping giant' of Europe to awaken and fortify itself in the face of evolving global challenges.
