European leaders say they must build stronger defence capabilities of their own after tensions with Washington over US President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland from Denmark. At the Munich Security Conference, several top officials warned that recent events have crossed “lines that cannot be uncrossed” in transatlantic relations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe will accelerate efforts to develop a more robust “European pillar” inside NATO. The aim is for European countries to take primary responsibility for conventional defence in Europe while the United States continues to provide its nuclear umbrella and support NATO’s mutual defence pledge.
Trump’s threats to forcibly annex Greenland and his past attacks on allies over defence spending have deepened doubts about US security guarantees. In response, Denmark and other NATO members have increased their military presence in and around Greenland, with France, Germany, Sweden and Norway sending troops for joint exercises.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio used his own speech in Munich to promise continued partnership with Europe but offered limited reassurance on NATO, Russia and the war in Ukraine. His remarks, combined with the Trump administration’s stance, have reinforced the view among many European leaders that Europe must be prepared to protect itself even as it cooperates with Washington.
Analysts say the key question is whether Europe will now turn words into action by investing in new weapon systems, fixing gaps such as long range missiles and coordinating defence plans more closely. Defence spending has already risen across the continent, but experts warn that building a credible, less US dependent European defence will take sustained political will a
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