One of the most important discussions at the Munich Security Conference, held from February 13-15, 2026, was how Europe could ensure its own security without the United States. Europe’s efforts to secure its own safety without NATO had already taken concrete form in the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), declared in the Maastricht Treaty of 1992, one of the three pillars of the European Union (EU). However, the CFSP pillar largely envisioned a strategy pursued in conjunction with and in harmony with NATO.
The idea of a European Army, spearheaded by France and discussed for decades, has remained an unrealized project, and dependence on NATO for the continent’s security has continued. At the Munich Security Conference, European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a statement on this issue, calling for the implementation of Europe’s mutual defense clause.[1] The seventh paragraph of Article 42 of the EU Treaty, which Von der Leyen referred to, reads as follows: “In the event of an armed attack on the territory of a Member State, the other Member States shall undertake to provide all possible assistance and support.”[2]
Especially after the US threat of an attack on Greenland, the implementation of this provision has become inevitable for Europe. However, the shares allocated by European countries to their defense budgets remain insufficient for the modernization of their armies. Therefore, a European Army that will ensure continental security requires both a determined political will and strong armies at the national level.
It is frequently stated that France and Germany, the leading countries of the European Union, have not taken steps that would set an example for the rest of Europe in this regard. The need to modernize the German Army, which was rendered militarily passive after World War II, became seriously apparent in 2022 with Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Even though the German government, struggling to provide and sustain the necessary military support to Ukraine in the war against Russia, has taken action to improve its army, it is estimated that this modernization will take at least ten years.[3]
This weakness in the German defense industry has been clearly demonstrated in the delays in the supply of Taurus missiles to Ukraine. The Paris government has also been one of the European actors providing the strongest support to Kyiv, including the option of sending troops. French President Emmanuel Macron, who strongly advocated for plans to deploy troops to Ukraine, has faced heavy criticism from Russia for these statements.
The United Kingdom has been one of the strongest supporters of Ukraine’s defense. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the Brexit years were over and reiterated the UK’s support for European defense.[4] Starmer stressed that European security could not be ensured without the UK[5], and expressed the need to develop an integrated defense approach. In this context, Starmer stated that the United Kingdom should work more closely with the EU to establish a European NATO.[6]
From this perspective, it can be said that the UK has become a critical actor on both the Atlantic and Eurasian fronts, ensuring the continuation of transatlantic ties. The UK’s policies, playing a crucial role in transatlantic relations, can essentially be seen as part of its pursuit of hegemony. In this sense, the UK desires to position itself on the international stage both as an actor capable of curbing US initiatives like “Greenland” and as the “guarantor of European security.” Thus, it seeks to rise in the international system as one of the leading countries in both Europe and the Atlantic.
Following the Russia-Ukraine War, a significant momentum has been observed in joint defense industry projects within the framework of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) among EU countries. Military cooperation projects carried out under PESCO are strategic steps towards a European Army and are effective in the development of national armies. Furthermore, the call by the President of the EU Commission for the “implementation of the mutual defense clause” and the plan to “establish a rapid deployment force of 5,000 people by 2030” within the framework of the EU Strategic Compass are extremely important developments. Furthermore, within the framework of the €150 billion European Security Action (SAFE) common defense financing program, which came into effect on May 29, 2025, European countries can make joint purchases from each other’s defense industries. Countries such as Poland, France, and Italy have received the largest shares of this budget. This project aims to support other European actors, particularly the Baltic states, that are weak in terms of defense capabilities.
In conclusion, Europe faces significant challenges in building a security system independent of NATO. Chief among these challenges is the insufficient military capacity of member states. It is also noted that Europe’s total military power is not advanced enough to compete with Russia, and that there are significant weaknesses, especially for the Baltic and Eastern European countries. With Donald Trump, the US has become hesitant to ensure Europe’s security within the NATO framework. Therefore, the steps taken by major powers within Europe, such as the UK, France, and Germany, are becoming increasingly important. However, the war in Ukraine has revealed that Europe already faces serious political, military, and economic shortcomings and impossibilities. As the US shifts its focus towards the Asia-Pacific region, it is estimated that Europe does not have much time left to ensure its own security.
[1] “Von der Leyen says Europe must bring its mutual defence clause ‘to life’”, FT, https://www.ft.com/content/30ee3ac3-f1b1-42e6-a802-f19bf2f34a39, (Access date: 16 Feb 2026).
[2] Aynı yer.
[3] “Bir Ordu Yeniden Diriliyor: Alman Ordusu (Bundeswehr)”, Savunma Sanayist, https://www.savunmasanayist.com/bir-ordu-yeniden-diriliyor-alman-ordusu-bundeswehr/, (Access date: 16 Feb 2026).
[4] “UK’s Starmer calls for stronger ‘hard power’ and European defence ties”, Global Banking and Finance, https://www.globalbankingandfinance.com/uk-pm-starmer-urges-closer-collaboration-europe-defence/, (Access date: 16 Feb 2026).
[5] “No UK security without Europe, Starmer says at Munich summit”, East London And Vertiser, https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/national/25854571.no-uk-security-without-europe-starmer-says-munich-summit/, (Access date: 16 Feb 2026).
[6] “No UK security without Europe, Starmer says at Munich summit”, Politico, https://www.politico.eu/article/keir-starmer-uk-must-get-closer-eu-to-build-european-nato/, (Access date: 16 Feb 2026).
