Since Donald Trump resumed the U.S. presidency on January 20, 2025, his unpredictable foreign policy tactics have once again raised concerns across the international stage. In Europe, this has reignited a pressing debate: the urgent need for a unified and credible European defense structure under a single, cohesive command.
At this critical juncture, one fact stands out clearly — the necessity to establish a genuine European Military Defense with unity of command. Such a structure is essential not only to ensure the continent’s security but also to serve as a strong deterrent against Russian neo-imperialism under Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Currently, European defense spending is highly fragmented. National budgets — including Germany’s planned €100 billion military boost — are being poured into overlapping and often incompatible military systems. This duplication hampers joint logistics and undermines efforts to develop competitive European defense champions. Resources that could be used efficiently and collectively are instead squandered due to lack of coordination and strategic vision.
Moreover, from a geopolitical standpoint, the United States has increasingly shifted its focus toward the Indo-Pacific region, aiming to contain China’s rise as a global superpower. For Washington, Europe — now more than 80 years removed from WWII and over 35 years past the fall of the Berlin Wall — is no longer a top-tier priority. The U.S. commitment to NATO remains formally intact, but American strategic interests are evolving rapidly. Europe can no longer afford to rely on the transatlantic umbrella as it once did.
These realities are not new; they have long been discussed in academic and political circles. But today, we are no longer dealing with theoretical scenarios or distant possibilities. We are facing concrete, immediate challenges. This is not a hypothetical case study — it is a real and urgent memo now lying on the desks of every Head of State and Government within the European Union, including Norway and the United Kingdom.
The time for procrastination is over. There is no longer room for delays of ten, five, or even two years while political leaders engage in endless conventions and debates about the future of Europe. As citizens of the 27 EU member states, we must demand decisive action and push our leaders to accelerate the creation of a robust European defense framework at the federal level.
This task is daunting. It must contend with the growing influence of far-right populist movements across the continent, which threaten to derail pan-European cooperation. At the same time, public opinion is clear: according to the latest Eurobarometer survey, nearly 80% of Europeans believe that the EU should play a stronger role in security and defense.
In comparison, planning a mission to Mars may seem straightforward. Yet, faced with the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people in the face of war, Europeans cannot remain passive observers. We must act now — not just to support others, but to secure our own future.
It is high time for Europe to step up and build the most credible and effective self-defense capability possible — not for some distant tomorrow, but for the coming months. The stakes could not be higher, and the window of opportunity is closing fast.