Western Europe cannot ignore eastern allies – POLITICO

One way to address this anxieties would be through a Eurocentric deterrence strategy that aims to allay these anxieties without unnecessarily provoking Russia. After all, Russia’s security elites are far more worried about U.S. troops on the border than they are about European troops. And France and Germany have shown interest and are now slowly moving in this direction.

One example is the permanent presence of a German army brigade in Lithuania within the next few years, which will help “assuage our fears,” Margarita Šeşelgite, a prominent Lithuanian security expert, told me. France’s growing presence in the region is also a cause for optimism, although significant work remains to be done if Europe’s defense posture along its eastern border is to materially change. ing.

For example, deploying one brigade, even a “strong” brigade, in the words of German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, ensures that a Russian attack will automatically trigger a NATO response. It would be a useful trap to use. This is not necessarily all that impressive militarily, but in fact there is little risk of Russia invading the Baltic States or Poland, which would ensure a disastrous war with NATO, so a small European force could reassure its eastern allies without angering Russia. That’s the US military’s way.

Furthermore, the United States should similarly encourage and support the strengthening of European-led deterrence in Central and Eastern Europe. It would not only relieve the burden and resources of the American military, but also encourage the Europeans to reinvigorate their militaries and play a more serious role in the continent’s security.

In addition to increasing military presence, European countries also need to establish integrated military production. Currently, Europe cannot even produce the one million shells it promised to deliver to Ukraine by March. Therefore, ramping up production in a pan-European manner would also provide reassurance to our Eastern allies, while also better preparing them for future crises and conflicts. The EU already has existing mechanisms, such as Permanent Structured Cooperation and the European Defense Fund, which should help foster such developments. And here again, strengthening defense capabilities could reduce Western Europe’s fear of Russia and thereby encourage its willingness to seek reasonable compromises with Russia.

Many European countries that could afford to rely on the United States have treated security almost as an afterthought since the end of the Cold War. However, several experts I spoke to stressed that with Washington’s future strategic commitments uncertain, it is time for Europe to start doing more to defend itself. Furthermore, given the very widespread and justified feeling in the United States that Europeans are “free riding” on military spending, as even former President Barack Obama noted, warranting U.S. presence and support. This is a necessary measure. In the long run.