The EU must end its military dependence on the USA, says the Polish head of state

BRUSSELS — The European Union cannot rely on the United States for defense and must increase its military spending and security preparedness to help Ukraine and deter Russia from targeting more of its neighbors, senior EU officials warned on Wednesday.

“Don’t ask America what it can do to keep us safe. Ask yourself what we can do for our own security,” said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country holds the EU presidency, paraphrasing a quote from U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address.

In an address to EU lawmakers, Tusk urged the 27-nation bloc to “take control of its own security” and identify its weaknesses. “If Europe is to survive, it must be armed,” he said.

There are growing concerns that US President Trump could try to quickly end the war in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on terms unfavorable to Ukraine, or could again refuse to defend European allies who do not increase their military budgets.

“We must believe in our power again,” Tusk told the gathering in Strasbourg, France. “We are strong, we are equal to the greatest powers in the world. The only thing we have to do is believe in it.”

Tusk said his country spends nearly 5% of its gross domestic product on defense, more than any NATO ally, including the United States. He called on his European partners to adhere to this sentence at least until Russia gives in.

“Today we must radically increase our defense spending (but not forever”) said Tusk.

In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned of the dangers Russia already poses and presented a list of acts of sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and electronic GPS jamming that she blames on Moscow.

“Many of our national intelligence agencies are giving us information that Russia could test the EU’s defense preparedness in three to five years,” she told a meeting of the European Defense Agency. “Who else do we listen to if not them?”

Kallas warned that the Russian defense industry “produces tanks, glide bombs and artillery shells in large quantities.” In three months they can produce more weapons and ammunition than we can in twelve.”

She described Russia as “a heavily militarized country that poses an existential threat to all of us.” We are running out of time. Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom and ours. They all buy us time.”

Kallas pointed out that EU member states spend an average of 1.9% of GDP on their military budgets, while Russia spends 9%. 23 EU countries are also members of NATO, which encourages its allies to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense.

Aside from leaving the world’s largest trading bloc unprotected, Kallas said: “Europe’s failure to invest in military capabilities also sends a dangerous signal to the aggressor. “Weakness invites them.”

Kallas emphasized that the United States “is and must remain our strongest ally.”

EU leaders will meet for an “informal retreat” outside Brussels on February 3 for talks focused exclusively on security and defense for the first time. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected to attend.

Cook writes for the Associated Press.