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Politics | Europe | Ukraine
Trump’s Buffoonery Presents Big Opportunities for Europe
Europe can unite to defend Ukraine and itself while gaining world position and prosperity. It must recognize and seize this moment
Replacing the U.S. security umbrella presents difficulties, including how, time, and expense. But, the task is not insurmountable. Europe can significantly strengthen its military capability by first focusing on defending Ukraine. Exactly how this is achieved doesn’t matter — only that it must because Putin’s aggression won’t miraculously end, and the American partnership is now uncertain. No wishful thinking will change this dangerous situation for Ukraine and Europe. Putin has configured his war with Ukraine as existential to his power, and Trump has sided with Putin over Ukraine — again and again.
Replicating every piece of U.S.-supplied weaponry and intelligence is unnecessary. The initial European capability can be bespoke to defend Ukraine from Putin and expanded later to protect Europe more generally. This may be simpler and cheaper than initial assessments because combat has rapidly modernized thanks to the Ukranian experience. Fewer personnel are needed or at risk, and tech and drones have mostly replaced tanks, helicopters, and…
