EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urges Europe to adapt as Trump reshapes US priorities, calling for urgent action to bolster continental defence.
BRUSSELS: Europe must step up its defence efforts and play a bigger role in NATO as US President Donald Trump has “shaken the transatlantic relationship to its foundation”, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
Kallas told a defence conference that Europe must adapt to new strategic realities.
“The US will remain Europe’s partner and ally. But Europe needs to adapt to the new realities,” she said.
She described the shift in US focus as structural and not temporary.
“It means that Europe must step up — no great power in history has outsourced its survival and survived,” Kallas stated.
The call follows Trump’s recent threat to seize Greenland from NATO ally Denmark.
That crisis reinforced calls for Europe to reduce its long-standing reliance on US military protection.
Kallas was clear that NATO remains the bedrock of European security.
She insisted EU efforts should complement the alliance’s work.
“Especially now, as the US is setting its sights beyond Europe, NATO needs to become more European to maintain its strength,” she argued.
“For this, Europe must act.”
European nations have already increased defence budgets since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
They agreed last year to massively hike NATO’s spending target under pressure from Trump.
The EU launched initiatives last year that could see members invest an additional EUR 800 billion in defence.
Washington wants European allies to take more responsibility for conventional defence as the US focuses on threats like China.
“The risk of a full-blown return to coercive power politics, spheres of influence and a world where might makes right, is very real,” Kallas warned.
She insisted Europe must acknowledge this tectonic shift is permanent.
Kallas urged the continent to act with urgency.
Her comments follow NATO chief Mark Rutte telling EU lawmakers that Europe cannot defend itself without the United States.
Rutte said Europe would need to double spending to replace the US nuclear umbrella.
The NATO chief warned that building a separate European force would play into Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s hands.
“Putin will love it. So think again,” Rutte said.
Instead, he urged the EU to use its strengths to fund defence and cut industry regulations.
