https://www.politico.eu/article/euro...ladimir-putin/
Europe’s Trump challenge: Is it ready to fight Vladimir Putin alone?
The Continent contemplates the end of its Pax Americana.
Can Europe fend off a Russian attack on its own?
It’s a question that until now has been the stuff of fiction. But in the wake of the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine and with Donald Trump
surging in the polls, it’s one European policymakers are suddenly facing.
The former — and possibly future — U.S. president has reportedly told European Union officials
he won’t come to the Continent’s aid if it’s attacked. But for Europe, turning back decades of underinvestment in the military and rebuilding an industrial base would take massive amounts of money and five to 10 years, said several current and former military officials.
That’s time Europe might not have.
POLITICO looked at what capabilities Europe has now, its plans for beefing them up, and the implications of a potential end to Europe’s
Pax Americana — including discussion in some countries about the need for their own, independent nuclear deterrents…..