EU Leader Warns US: "Europe Can Defend Itself"

A top European Union leader has told the United States not to interfere in European politics, asserting that the EU is strong enough to deter aggression on its own. European Council President António Costa issued the sharp warning. It was a direct response to the new U.S. national security strategy published under the Trump administration. That document describes European allies as weak. It also offers tacit, or indirect, support to far-right political parties in Europe. The strategy has been praised by Russian officials. Costa stated that only European citizens can decide which parties should govern them. He emphasized that Europe is "already formidable enough to deter any aggression even without the United States." The remarks highlight growing tensions between the EU and the U.S. over security and political independence.