It’s a wake-up call. Over the past two weeks, Europeans have awoken to the fact that the United States, which for decades has been the main guarantor of security on the continent, now wants them to take the lead on Ukraine’s defense. This message has come in waves from US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and President Donald Trump.
One response to a wake-up call, of course, is to wake up and get to work. So, what might that look like in practice for specific countries and Europe as a whole? Below, Atlantic Council experts share their insights on how Europeans are responding to the Trump administration’s eye-opening jolt and what could follow.
Voice of Ukraine 