Europe cannot depend on Trump: Pistorius urges stronger defense
Photo: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has warned that Europe can no longer passively rely on the US and must take responsibility for its security, according to his interview with Redaktions Netzwerk Deutschland.
Trump's unpredictability pushes Europe to act
Pistorius said that waiting for decisions from Washington distracts Europe from its key task: strengthening its own defense capabilities and sovereignty.
"It would be a mistake to stare at the White House like a rabbit at a snake. Then we would lose focus on what we ourselves must do," he emphasized.
Commenting on US President Donald Trump's recent statements about Greenland, the minister noted that the US leader's unpredictability has increased. Until recently, the idea of using military force in the region seemed unthinkable.
However, Pistorius emphasized that no new agreements on US military presence in Greenland are necessary.
The current arrangement between the US and Denmark, dating back to 1951, remains in effect. Under it, Washington may increase its contingent of around 200 troops at any time.
Arctic, NATO, and Russia: Why Europe can no longer rely only on US
The minister reminded that NATO is responsible for Arctic security, and due to growing threats from Russia, European countries have significantly strengthened their presence in the region.
"We will not allow a geostrategic gap to emerge in the Arctic," Pistorius stated.
He added that Trump uses fear and uncertainty as a tool of pressure, but Europe must not yield.
European nations are gradually taking responsibility for conventional defense, while the US nuclear protective umbrella within NATO remains unchanged.
Pistorius also stressed that the US needs Europe just as much as Europe needs the United States.
"Imagine that Europe became a sphere of influence of Russia. Then the United States would find itself between Russia and China. That is certainly not in the interests of the Americans," he said.
On NATO tensions, the Defense minister compared the situation to a marriage crisis, where instead of "running away," the couple must find a constructive path to resolve problems.
Pistorius noted there are no signs the US intends to leave the Alliance, and that only Russian President Vladimir Putin benefits from such discussions.
He also highlighted the critical role of the Ramstein air base in Germany, which serves as a key US logistical and medical hub in Europe.
NATO without US?
Recently, US Secretary of State Mark Rubio said NATO needs a renewed approach, with European countries significantly strengthening their own defense capabilities. Without this, even existing security guarantees remain dependent on US support.
The Pentagon has also released its updated 2026 National Defense Strategy, which prioritizes domestic security and reduces support for European partners.
Also, the US plans to reduce personnel in several key NATO headquarters.
In late 2025, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie submitted a bill to withdraw the US from NATO, arguing that the alliance had lost relevance after the Cold War.
Politico reports that NATO currently lacks a clear contingency plan for a potential US withdrawal.
Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reaffirmed that the country will remain a NATO member, though he avoided directly answering whether Greenland or the alliance is the higher national security priority, calling such a wording "a false choice."
