EU Confidential Can the EU defend Ukraine (and itself)?
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Feb 9, 2024 
"EU Confidential" welcomes Florence Gaub, director of research at the NATO Defence College, and Ivo Daalder, former US ambassador to NATO. They discuss the "Europeanization of NATO," Europe's defense capabilities, vulnerabilities, and the potential consequences of a lack of reliance on the US. They also explore practical steps for European countries to defend themselves and the challenges they face in defense production and increased spending on defense.
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US Political Risk Spurs European Rethink
- Polls show Donald Trump could return to the White House and Europeans worry this may embolden Putin.
- European leaders are therefore taking defense more seriously and discussing greater self-reliance.
US Stockpiles Are A Short-Term Bottleneck
- Ivo Daalder says critical US military stockpiles require congressional approval to transfer to Ukraine.
- Europe lacks immediate capacity to replace those supplies this year, creating a short-term vulnerability.
Distinguishing NATO From European Action
- Florence Gaub distinguishes Trump’s hostility to NATO actions versus the alliance itself.
- She argues Europeans can reduce friction by investing more in their own defense capabilities.