Europe must step up urgently to improve its defense and make NATO more European to maintain its strength, warned EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas at a recent defense conference. She stated that the transatlantic relationship has been shaken to its core by the evolving political landscape, necessitating a shift in how Europe approaches its security.
Kallas highlighted that no great power has ever outsourced its survival and survived, underscoring the importance of self-reliance in defense. Although she affirmed that the US would continue to be a partner, tensions have emerged following controversial remarks from NATO leaders and past incidents, such as Trump's Greenland threat, which aggravated relations.
The call for stronger European defense comes amid comments from Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, suggesting that Europe cannot defend itself without American support. However, Kallas and other European officials, including French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, argued that Europe can and must take control of its security.
Kallas described the EU's need to change its mindset from nationalistic to cooperative thinking, particularly among the 23 nations that are part of both the EU and NATO. The importance of a distinct European defense pillar has gained traction as Western military presence continues to diminish.
Recent events have highlighted the urgency of these discussions, particularly with Russia's aggressive policies leading Finland and Sweden to join NATO. In this context, Kallas emphasized that Europe is a giant but sleeping giant that needs to awaken to build its defense independence without delays or excuses.
