Europe Alone? As U.S. Wavers, Europe Faces a Hostile Russia

European leaders are confronting a stark new reality. With a hostile Russia on one side and an increasingly distant United States on the other, the continent feels stranded. Key decisions on the future of Ukraine are now looming. The debate in Europe is no longer just about military aid. It is about fundamental self-reliance. The central challenge is clear. Europe must rapidly build its own credible defense, independent of any single ally. This means much higher spending, integrated armies, and a strong defense industry. The task is monumental. But the alternative—a continent caught between two great powers—is no longer an option. The era of relying on others for security is over.