The European security system isn't working anymore. A new one is needed, says former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Politico reports. He also urged Ukraine's integration into a new alliance as a full member.
According to him, Europe has relied for too long on "cheap energy from Russia, cheap goods from China, and cheap security from the United States." That model no longer works.
Effective breakdown of Europe's security system
In his view, NATO is disintegrating, and doubts about US security guarantees are growing.
“What we are witnessing right now is the disintegration of NATO, and that is dangerous. We must stand on our own feet and be able to defend our continent ourselves,” Rasmussen claimed.
He added that US President Donald Trump has raised so many doubts about his commitment to Article 5 and the defense of Europe that Europeans may only reach one conclusion: the need to create a new alliance.
5% of GDP on defense or exclusion: new entry standard
He proposed establishing a new union of European countries willing and able to independently organize the continent's defense. These countries would need to meet strict criteria.
"NATO countries that meet the target of five percent defense spending should be able to participate, commit to an Article 5–like security guarantee," Rasmussen stated.
Under his vision, countries should not be able to block military operations unilaterally, and there should be a mechanism to exclude members that fail to meet the conditions.
He also called for integrating Ukraine into the future European security system as a full member of the proposed alliance.
Ukraine as key element of new security architecture against Russia
“We are now also seeing how quickly Ukraine develops new weapons and ammunition. We need it as a bulwark against Russia,” Rasmussen stressed.
He said he has discussed the idea with political leaders but has not yet heard clear support. He added that he would “very much welcome” it if German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni led the process.
The publication noted that Rasmussen’s statements differ significantly from his earlier views on NATO and the US role in the Alliance, as he previously strongly defended America’s leadership. When he was the prime minister of Denmark, he supported the US-led Iraq War, and he said this shift has not been easy.
When asked how he feels about rethinking Europe’s security essentially without Washington, the former NATO chief said: “Very painful.” He claimed he had admired the US since childhood and saw it as the natural leader of the free world.
But, he added, “we must adjust our strategic thinking and reduce our dependence on the strongmen of this world — on Trump, Putin, Xi Jinping.”
