Rutte is wrong about European defense
This is article on Politico is written by our President Domenec Ruiz Devesa as senior researcher at Barcelona Centre for International Affairs and Emiliano Alessandri is an affiliated researcher at Austrian Institute for International Affairs.
The article argues that Mark Rutte is wrong to claim that Europe cannot defend itself without the United States. According to the authors, such statements risk turning Europe’s dependence on the US into a political doctrine rather than encouraging Europe to strengthen its own defence capabilities.
It highlights that US foreign policy is gradually shifting away from Europe, regardless of who is in the White House. In an increasingly competitive and multipolar world, Europe can no longer rely almost entirely on American military protection.
The authors therefore argue that NATO should evolve toward a more balanced alliance, with a much stronger European pillar. This would require greater European defence investment, deeper military integration, and the development of autonomous European capabilities.
In conclusion, a stronger European defence would not weaken NATO but make it more sustainable, by ensuring that Europe can take greater responsibility for its own security.