WSJ: Europe Is Preparing For A New War
- 16.12.2025, 11:43
European NATO countries have agreed to increase traditional defense spending.
As U.S. President Donald Trump tries to negotiate a peace settlement over Ukraine, European leaders are sounding the alarm, saying Russia could strike their countries. According to The Wall Street Journal, European security officials are now routinely urging the public to prepare for a potential war with Russia - a statement that seemed unthinkable a decade ago.
Trump's peace deal
European capitals have voiced fears that Trump would push Ukraine to accept an uneven peace deal that would give Putin confidence and leave Ukraine vulnerable to future Russian attacks. In doing so, the ceasefire would also free up Russian military resources to attack Europe.
Europe also fears that the Trump administration will not come to the rescue if an attack does occur. The US National Security Strategy does not mention Russia as an enemy for the first time in recent years.
Retired Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer says that if Europe wants to keep the peace, it must prepare for war to contain Putin. He added, however, that officials are concerned about data showing that Russia's military-industrial complex is producing more than it needs for the war in Ukraine, so there are fears that Russian Federation could resume its assault on Europe faster than previously thought.
At the same time, politicians across the region warn that reviving a bellicose public mindset, accompanied by explanations for complex spending trade-offs, is challenging. A Gallup poll last year found that only a third of Europeans are willing to fight to defend their country, compared with 41 percent in the United States:
"In private conversations, European officials say voters will support the necessary sacrifices - from increased military spending to renewed conscription - only if they believe an attack will happen."
European security chiefs already say Russia has launched a covert "gray zone" offensive against Europe in an attempt to damage its economy and wreak havoc. Meanwhile, German officials suspect that Moscow's campaign of sabotage and espionage is partly aimed at preparing an attack on NATO's logistical routes that would delay troop deployments to Eastern Europe in the event of armed conflict against Poland or the Baltic states.
Europe is preparing for conflict
France, for example, has announced the resumption of voluntary military service for young people, following the lead of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Germany is actively conducting war games, modeling how it would move troops to the front in the event of a Russian attack. Britain is cutting back on military training outside Europe to focus on Russia. Also this year, European NATO member states agreed to increase traditional defense spending.
In many major Western European economies, however, these compromises have yet to be felt by the public. At the same time, several military commanders have said publicly that spending will have to increase significantly if Europe is to deter Russia from further aggression.