Europe is facing a stark reality: despite years of warnings, it’s still not prepared to fully defend itself from Russia, especially without strong American support. Experts are sounding the alarm, urging a radical shift in how Europe approaches its security.
America’s chief military strategist, Elbridge Colby, recently told European defense ministers that NATO allies must boost their budgets. His message is clear: Europe needs to lessen its dependency on the U.S. and forge a partnership based on shared responsibility, not reliance. This push isn’t new; even past administrations have signaled a desire for Europe to take more control.
But what if the U.S. were to significantly withdraw its military presence? Experts like Keir Giles warn that Europe simply isn’t ready. It would take considerable time and effort – far more than we’ve seen so far – to build up necessary defensive capabilities. This could leave the continent dangerously vulnerable.
The threat isn’t just about tanks and troops. Russian expert Sergei Cristo points to Russia’s “Gerasimov Doctrine,” a strategy prioritizing “concealed means of war.” This includes political interference, intelligence operations, and election meddling, all designed to destabilize countries without direct military action. Cristo believes NATO is ill-equipped for this “hybrid warfare.”
Indeed, Russia has already been waging a quiet campaign of sabotage across Europe, with 145 instances of disruption recorded. From explosives on railway tracks to mysterious warehouse fires, the Kremlin is unleashing chaos, even while denying involvement. Intelligence officials work “24/7” to counter these threats, and MI6 warns the front line is “everywhere.”
The time for talking is over. Europe is “a long way behind” in its preparations. To preserve its security, Europe urgently needs to become more powerful than Russia in key areas, deterring Moscow not just militarily, but also against its shadowy tactics of political disruption.
Source: https://metro.co.uk/2026/02/12/us-wants-nato-become-lethal-protect-late-26851404/
