​O Pilar Europeu da NATO e a Defesa Europeia

Abstract

The persistence of the war in Ukraine and the uncertainty surrounding the US commitment to NATO have placed European defense at a turning point that demands a strategic realignment and a rapid, profound military transformation in Europe. The current reality imposes a delicate balance: Europe must support Ukraine through military, financial, and humanitarian assistance while simultaneously strengthening its own defense capabilities to ensure the continent’s security. To guarantee deterrence and defense for Europe and contain the Russian threat, both military and hybrid, European states have no alternative but to increase defense spending and investment, significantly developing their military capabilities to acquire a credible deterrent and defense capability. This effort stems from the dual need to develop a robust European pillar within NATO and, simultaneously, avoid a strategic distancing of the United States from Europe, while recalibrating the transatlantic relationship. Analyzing Europe-United States relations from the perspective of the relationship between NATO and European defense, it is argued that European countries must consolidate a European pillar in NATO and recalibrate a new transatlantic agreement. To restore a stable European security order, they should start operationalizing this European pillar of NATO now.