The EP said it was impossible to continue relying on the U.S. for defense
The European Union (EU) can no longer rely on the United States to protect common interests, and it is time for it to take its own defense and security into its own hands. The European Parliament (EP) factions said on February 19.
"In light of the new geopolitical reality and its uncertainties <...> it is time for Europe to strengthen its own security. Europe can no longer fully rely on the US to protect our common values and interests," reads the document published on the Renew Europe EP faction's page on the social network X (former Twitter).
It specifies that this also applies to support for Ukraine. In particular, EU countries should redouble their efforts to support it in order to bring it to participate in peace talks in the strongest possible position. For this, Europe should work together with NATO and allied states from other continents.
The factions added that a dialog on the Ukrainian settlement is impossible without the participation of Kiev and the EU.
Earlier in the day, the Financial Times reported that the EU authorities want to reallocate the unused €93 billion allocated to fight the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic to defense needs.
Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Giuseppe Cavo Dragone said on February 17 that the U.S. will not leave NATO, but will reduce the number of its military in Europe. The official urged the EU to increase its defense spending.
Before that, on January 21, US President Donald Trump said that he was going to get NATO countries to increase defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP). The US leader was dissatisfied with the fact that Washington had spent $200bn more than other countries on military aid to Kiev, and now they will have to "level the playing field".
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