Can Europe defend itself without America? NATO answers
In a decisive address to the European Parliament in Brussels, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte put an end to the growing speculation and calls within Europe for defense independence from the United States. Rutte affirmed that Europe currently lacks, and will not for the foreseeable future possess, the capacity to defend itself independently of its American ally, particularly given the escalating geopolitical tensions.
Illusions of defensive independence and exorbitant costs
Rutte delivered a direct and strongly worded message to European parliamentarians, saying: "If anyone here still believes that the European Union, or Europe as a whole, can defend itself without the United States, then keep dreaming. You can't." These remarks come at a time of growing calls for European "strategic autonomy," demands that have gained momentum recently following diplomatic disputes over Greenland.
The Secretary-General explained that the cost of this hypothetical independence would be astronomical. If Europeans wanted to build an alternative defense alliance, they would have to drastically increase their defense spending. Instead of the 2% or 5% currently being discussed, they would need to allocate at least 10% of their GDP to defense, in addition to spending hundreds of billions to develop independent nuclear deterrent capabilities—something that could drastically impact the well-being of the European economy and existing social welfare models.
Historical context and the nuclear umbrella
To understand the depth of Rutte's remarks, one must consider the historical context of NATO, which was founded in 1949 to counter Soviet expansion. Since then, the United States has formed the backbone of European security, providing what is known as the "nuclear umbrella" that has ensured the continent's stability for decades. Rutte indicated that breaking away from Washington would mean "losing the ultimate guarantee of our freedom," referring to the immense American nuclear arsenal and logistical capabilities for which Europeans have no alternative.
Article Five and the American Commitment
Despite the strong rhetoric regarding European capabilities, Rutte reassured allies that Washington remains fully committed to Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all. He emphasized that the United States understands its strategic interests are tied to a secure Euro-Atlantic area, and that NATO serves American national security as much as it serves European security.
Risks of a unified European army
In a related development, Rutte strongly criticized the proposal by EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius to create a joint European military force to replace US forces. Rutte argued that such a move would further complicate and fragment the security landscape, adding sarcastically, "I think Russian President Vladimir Putin would love that," indicating that any crack in the Western alliance directly benefits NATO's strategic adversaries.
The Greenland and Arctic issue
Regarding the recent tensions over Greenland, Rutte explained that he had discussed the matter with US President Donald Trump, and they agreed that NATO needed to assume "greater responsibility for the defense of the Arctic Circle" given its increasing strategic importance as ice melts and new shipping lanes open. However, he emphasized that negotiations concerning the US presence on the island were a sovereign matter between Denmark, the Greenlandic authorities, and the United States, and that as Secretary General of the Alliance, he did not have a mandate to negotiate on behalf of Copenhagen.
Rutte concluded by recalling the shared sacrifices, noting that European soldiers fought and fell alongside American forces in Afghanistan and elsewhere, reinforcing the bloody and strategic bond that unites the two sides of the Atlantic, which cannot be replaced by any other theoretical security arrangements.
