Spain has called on European Union countries to create a unified EU army amid growing concerns about Europe’s security and uncertainty over future US support for NATO. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said Europe can no longer depend entirely on Washington for protection.
“We can’t wake up every morning and wonder what the U.S. will do next,” Albares said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. He argued that Europe must strengthen its own military capabilities and build a common defense system to respond to threats from Russia and other countries.
Albares stressed that a European army should not replace NATO, but instead strengthen Europe’s ability to defend itself if American support weakens. “If NATO no longer provides the degree of defense it used to, then Europeans must do more themselves,” he said.
The comments come amid growing tensions between Europe and the administration of Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies, questioned US commitments to the alliance, and suggested reducing the American military presence in Europe.
Spain has also become one of the strongest European critics of US policy in the Middle East. Madrid recently refused to allow American warplanes to use Spanish bases for operations linked to Iran, increasing tensions between Washington and the Spanish government.
