The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has called on Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defence and play a more prominent role within NATO, warning that US President Donald Trump has “shaken the transatlantic relationship to its foundation.”
Speaking at a defence conference in Brussels on Wednesday, Kallas stressed that while the United States remains a vital ally, Europe must adjust to changing global dynamics.
“Let me be clear: we want strong transatlantic ties. The US will remain Europe’s partner and ally. But Europe needs to adapt to the new realities. Europe is no longer Washington’s primary centre of gravity,” she said.
Kallas noted that the shift in US focus did not begin recently, describing it as long-term and structural rather than temporary. “This shift has been ongoing for a while. It is structural, not temporary. It means that Europe must step up, no great power in history has outsourced its survival and survived.”
Her remarks follow a turbulent period in relations between Washington and its European allies, highlighted earlier this month when Trump threatened to seize Greenland from Denmark, a fellow NATO and EU member, before later retreating from the stance.
That episode, one of several strains on transatlantic ties since Trump returned to power a year ago, has intensified calls for Europe to reduce its long-standing dependence on the United States, the dominant military force within NATO.
Despite these concerns, Kallas reaffirmed NATO’s central role in European security, saying EU defence initiatives should complement, not replace, the alliance. However, she emphasised that Europe must carry more weight within NATO.
“Especially now, as the US is setting its sights beyond Europe, NATO needs to become more European to maintain its strength,” she said, adding: “For this, Europe must act.”
European nations have already increased defence spending since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine four years ago and agreed last year to significantly raise NATO’s spending targets, partly under pressure from Trump. The EU has also launched initiatives it claims could enable member states to invest up to €800 billion more in defence.
Meanwhile, Washington has made it clear it expects European allies to assume greater responsibility for conventional defence as US strategic attention shifts toward other global challenges, including China.
Warning of growing instability, Kallas said: “The risk of a full-blown return to coercive power politics, spheres of influence and a world where might makes right, is very real.” She added that Europe “must acknowledge that this tectonic shift is here to stay. And to act with urgency.”
Her comments come shortly after NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte cautioned EU lawmakers against believing Europe could defend itself without US support.
Addressing the European Parliament on Monday, Rutte said Europe would need to double its defence spending to cover the “billions and billions of euros” required to replace the US nuclear umbrella.
He also warned that attempting to build a separate European military force to replace US involvement in NATO would benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Putin will love it. So think again,” Rutte said.
Instead, Rutte encouraged the EU to focus on its strengths by mobilising funding and cutting regulatory barriers to help Europe’s defence industry grow.
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