At the Munich Security Conference, European leaders emphasized the need for a stronger and more independent defense, in the context of tensions with the USA and threats from Russia.

At the Munich Security Conference, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, highlighted a profound change among European leaders, emphasizing that the limits in transatlantic relations have been exceeded. Tensions have risen due to Donald Trump's return to the White House and his pressures on Europe, which has led to doubts about the U.S. commitment to NATO. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tried to reassure Europeans but avoided sensitive topics such as NATO and the war in Ukraine. European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, advocated for a stronger "European pillar" within NATO, emphasizing the need to rely less on the U.S. for the continent's defense. They discussed the development of a European nuclear deterrent force, considering the increasing threats from Russia. Defense spending in Europe has significantly increased, with a commitment to reach 3.5% of GDP for defense.