Europe’s attempt to reclaim strategic autonomy through an unprecedented defense buildup reveals a continent trapped between external insecurity, internal fragmentation, and declining trust in the United States.

Introduction

Instead, the Hungarian leadership has met multiple times with Vladimir Putin to reconcile their relations. However, the situation got twisted when President Donald Trump assumed the Oval Office in January 2025, clearly declaring that if Europe is going to pay, the US will not be going to defend them. In the words of Politico, it is one of the biggest geopolitical crises to hit the continent in decades. A crisis that required an equally strong and immediate response, and Europe has got the one —‘Make Europe’s Defense Great Again.’

Europe’s Defense Surge

From 2023 to 2024, the military spending by NATO countries has significantly increased their budgets, surpassing the 2% of GDP target. In fact, there are only eight countries in Europe that failed to meet this goal. In addition, the NATO pending target is expected to rise to 3% or even 3.5 % this year, signaling the start of a new arms race. The Baltic nations, which are a vital part of NATO’s Arc of Insecurity, are at the forefront, each aiming to reach 5% of GDP for military spending in the next few years. Poland is projected to spend 4.7% this year and has announced plans to more than double its troops — from 200,000 to 500,000 soldiers. Likewise, France’s President Macron has instructed his Prime Minister to increase defense spending from just over 2% to 3%. Even Spain and Portugal, historically among the lowest spenders, have declared their intention to hit the 2% mark. Italy, while open to increased spending, prefers to fund it through common EU debt, though.

Re-Arm Europe Plan

The European Union has finally

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