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Europe Pushes for Defense Unity Amid U.S. Support Decline

2/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

European leaders say defense must rise as U.S. support declines after U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term.
At the Munich Security Conference, Ursula von der Leyen urged activating EU's mutual defense pact.
The EU lacks military expertise and operational command for rapid crisis responses.
A coalition led by France and the United Kingdom has formed to address security needs without U.S. guarantees and could become a European defense union.

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Story summary

European leaders say defense must rise as U.S. support declines after U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term.
At the Munich Security Conference, Ursula von der Leyen urged activating EU's mutual defense pact.
The EU lacks military expertise and operational command for rapid crisis responses.
A coalition led by France and the United Kingdom has formed to address security needs without U.S. guarantees and could become a European defense union.