With Donald Trump’s return to the White House, European leaders are reassessing their security strategies. NATO, long the bedrock of European defence, faces uncertainty as Trump signals a shift in US support. European nations are responding with increased defence spending, strategic alliances, and a renewed focus on self-reliance.
“Putin’s actions should be viewed in a historical context,” says Dr Gorana Grgic, senior lecturer at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. “The full-scale invasion of Ukraine is not an abrupt shift but rather the culmination of years of failed attempts to reassert Russian control.”
As fears of diminished US support grow, a new “coalition of the willing,” led by Britain and France, is emerging to bolster European security. The question remains: Can Europe fill the gap left by the US?
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