Editorial: Europe must lead its own security

Europe’s long-standing assumption that the United States is a reliable partner, one that shares its core values and guarantees its security, is becoming increasingly untenable.

From US President Donald Trump’s threat to annex Greenland, which belongs to Denmark – a NATO and EU member – to his complete disregard for international law and multilateral norms, Washington’s recent behaviour drives home a stark reality – Europe must take much more responsibility for its own security and become strategically autonomous.

Only this week, Trump announced that the US would leave 66 international organisations, most of which promote climate-friendly policies and better democratic practices. This is the kind of nonsense we are seeing from the White House. Trump has also threatened Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, and Canada, undermined NATO (an organisation that kept the peace in Europe for close to 80 years) and openly expressed his disdain for the EU and support for far-right European political parties.

And of course, the US capture and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Trump’s statement that the US is going to ‘run’ Venezuela has absolutely zero legal basis. Trump has also made it absolutely clear that Washington’s venture into Venezuela has nothing to do with a transition to democracy – which we all hope for – but is simply about access to the country’s oil. This is nothing short of imperialism.

Under US President Joe Biden, NATO remained rock solid, its commitment to every inch of NATO territory unwavering, and its support for Ukraine unequivocal. The result was that Moscow failed in its bid to seize Ukraine and has paid a heavy price, politically, diplomatically and economically, for its reckless aggression against its neighbour.

Today the situation has unfortunately changed with Trump constantly contradicting himself on Ukraine and exerting pressure on Kyiv to make territorial concessions while demanding no such concessions from Moscow.

Negotiating directly with Russia is not wrong. If it eases tensions then it can be positive, but what has been achieved? What concessions has Vladimir Putin made in almost four years? The indiscriminate military strikes against Ukrainian cities, civilians and infrastructure have not stopped

Negotiating directly with Russia is not wrong. If it eases tensions then it can be positive, but what has been achieved? What concessions has Vladimir Putin made in almost four years? The indiscriminate military strikes against Ukrainian cities, civilians and infrastructure have not stopped.

Europe has done its best to bend over backwards to accommodate Trump as much as possible and has constantly reaffirmed that Washington remains a strategic partner. This, however, has not modified his behaviour or his antagonism towards European ideals and values.

The US President even recently stated, when asked which was his higher priority, obtaining Greenland or preserving NATO, that “it may be a choice.” What type of answer is that?

Europe has a delicate balancing act to perform as it needs to get the Ukrainian war out of the way – and still needs Washington’s help to do this. But it also must be realistic and acknowledge that the Transatlantic Alliance will never be the same. The priority now is to strengthen EU security and defence cooperation and preparedness, together with as many NATO partners as possible, which the incoming Cypriot EU presidency has in fact listed as one of its main goals.

Europe must show stronger leadership, with key roles assumed by Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Baltics, the Nordic countries, and of course the United Kingdom – which should deepen its security and defence ties with the EU.

Globally, the EU should partner with major democracies – including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Canada, India and Brazil  – to form a new alliance capable of remaining relevant in a world increasingly shaped by Trump’s US, China and Russia.