NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sharply told the European Parliament this week, “If anyone thinks that the European Union, or Europe as a whole, can defend itself without the US, keep on dreaming. You can’t. We can’t.” He added that if Europe wanted to replace the US nuclear deterrent, it would have to double current defense spending – “so hey, good luck!” His words annoyed some MEPs. France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot responded on social media, saying, “Europeans can and must take charge of their own security. Even the United States agrees.” Spain’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares proposed creating a European army, but admitted, “I’m very much aware that you don’t do that from one day to another.” The idea of a European army raises many questions about who controls it and how it will work. Sophia Besch, a defense expert, called the goal “very visionary” but said critics see it as vague. Behind public disagreements, there is agreement that Europe must increase its military role in NATO. The EU plans to spend €800 billion on defense, with the aim to raise spending to 5% of national income by 2035. Camille Grand, ex-NATO official, said Europe is moving rightly but needs steady effort and must acquire key capabilities, such as intelligence and missile defense, to reduce dependence on the US by 2030. Grand explained, “It is not as if we could say on the 1st of January 2030: the Europeans will be completely autonomous.” Still, he said Europe could make “significant progress” by then. However, Europe must discuss with the US that American support will still be needed beyond 2030. Some question US commitment after erratic actions by former President Trump. Tobias Billström, a former Swedish foreign minister, remains confident the US would defend Europe if attacked. Sophia Besch believes trust in US security guarantees has faded. She warned that Europe spends big but may still rely on the US if money is not spent wisely. Europe’s defense spending is often fragmented, with many types of weapons and systems causing inefficiency, as seen in Ukraine’s supplies. She said, “The key question here is who is Europe, what is Europe, and then what are we actually trying to do?” Europe needs clear goals, not just try to replace US capabilities. Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz hinted that the expensive Franco-German fighter jet project might be scaled down, a sign of ongoing challenges in European defense cooperation. The debate continues whether Europe can strengthen itself while still counting on the US, or if it must find its own path soon.