A new #defence model would set Europeans up to defend themselves with America where possible, with less America where necessary and without America if it comes to that. 👇
@jpuglierin.bsky.social @mprochwicz.bsky.social @rafaelloss.bsky.social @ecfrpower.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/4vuMlD7
(🧵) ECFR's major new polling-backed study reveals that European publics have lost faith in the United States to uphold its #NATO obligations, and are now prepared defend themselves.
Read the full report by @pawelzerka.bsky.social and @jkobzova.bsky.social 👇
ecfr.eu/publication/...
The Russian threat is not going away any time soon. To defend themselves without America’s help, Europeans need to pursue a new, distinctly European model of de
But Europeans do think the relationship will likely improve after Trump and want to leave the door open to that possibility.
Europeans’ new-found realism manifests itself in three notable areas:
First, European trust in the US has crashed to new lows. Europeans do not expect America under Trump to protect them, and they recognise the need for more autonomous security (even funded by common debt).
Third, Europeans have learned the lessons of depending on Russian oil and gas. Even as a new energy crunch bears down on living standards, they are resolute in opposing purchases of fossil fuels from Russia
Second, although they continue to back Ukraine, Europeans do not believe the EU’s eastward enlargement would be a good idea in the current context. They are also reluctant to send their own troops to keep the peace in a post-war Ukraine.