Call for a New European Defense Alliance
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former NATO Secretary General, has declared that the alliance is disintegrating and is pushing for the creation of a fresh European defense coalition. He argued that Ukraine should be granted full membership in this new body, which would be capable of defending Europe without relying on the United States. Rasmussen stressed that European nations must stand on their own and secure the continent, as the current security model is no longer viable.
“What we are witnessing now is the disintegration of NATO. And that is dangerous,” Rasmussen stated in an interview with WELT.
He voiced concerns over Europe's dependence on external security providers, particularly the U.S. 'We Europeans have relied too long on cheap energy from Russia, cheap goods from China, and cheap security from the United States. That model no longer works,' he added.
New Initiatives and Support
The proposed structure would involve a coalition of willing participants, limited to NATO countries that allocate 5% of their GDP to defense. Members would need to commit to security guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5 and would have to give up their veto power over military operations. Rasmussen also mentioned a mechanism to expel members who fail to meet the conditions. “We need it as a bastion against Russia,” he said, underscoring the initiative’s importance.
The discussion about a new defense alliance followed Rasmussen’s consultations in Berlin, where he secured no firm commitments. He expressed hope that the initiative would gain backing from European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Additionally, EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has already voiced support for the idea of a new European Defense Union. “Someone has to drive this forward,” Rasmussen emphasized, calling for decisive action to shape a new security framework in Europe. A coalition of 35 willing nations is already coordinating support for Ukraine, highlighting the importance of integrating Ukraine into the new defense alliance.
Rasmussen’s appeals reflect growing anxieties about the stability of European security amid a shifting geopolitical landscape. Establishing a new defense coalition could be a crucial step toward reducing European countries’ reliance on the United States, especially given the threat from Russia. Ukraine’s involvement in this process would not only strengthen its international standing but also reaffirm European backing for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
As discussions about NATO's future intensify, the notion of a 'coalition of the willing' has emerged as an alternative for Ukraine's security. This perspective, shared by former U.S. diplomat Kurt Volker, highlights the urgency of establishing flexible alliances that can adapt to current geopolitical challenges, similar to Rasmussen's call for a new European defense framework.