Former European Council President Charles Michel has issued a powerful warning for Europe. He said the continent can no longer rely fully on its traditional partner, the United States, for Europe defense. Michel led the European Council from 2019 to 2024. He added that Europe must urgently achieve “strategic autonomy.” He also said it must prepare to defend itself independently and strengthen Europe defense if necessary.
Europe Must Build Its Own Strength
In a recent interview, Michel stressed that strategic autonomy is no longer just a political slogan—it is a pressing requirement. “For the last decade, it has been very clear that we needed to invest in strategic autonomy so as not to become a museum of the world. This is also a necessity today,” he said. He warned that Europe faces serious challenges, especially rising tensions with Russia, which could exploit divisions among European nations if they are not united.
Michel emphasized that Europe must act decisively and boldly to ensure its own security. He described strategic autonomy as “Europe’s only security policy,” making it clear that relying on old agreements and past partnerships is no longer enough.
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He added that fast decision-making and strong coordination among European countries are essential. Michel called European unity a cornerstone of the continent’s safety, warning that delays or indecision could leave Europe vulnerable to external threats.
Europe Defense and the Changing U.S. Relationship
The former EU chief was frank about the changing relationship between Europe and the United States. He said that the ties that have existed for decades are now fundamentally different. Michel pointed to actions during the Trump administration, including the U.S. interest in Greenland, as examples showing that Europe cannot always rely on automatic support.
He emphasized that Europe must now deal with the United States as an equal partner. “If Europe responds with complacency, it invites more pressure. If Europe responds with unity and determination, it can re-establish balance,” Michel said. He stressed that only a partnership among equals can ensure fair and effective dialogue.
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Michel’s remarks highlight a growing recognition among European leaders that Europe defense planning cannot depend solely on NATO. He said Europe must be prepared to take responsibility for its own defense and cannot assume the U.S. will always step in.
To achieve this, Michel suggested that Europe defense investments need to be increased and military capabilities strengthened. He warned that emerging threats, particularly from Russia and other global powers, require Europe to be ready to act independently if needed, reinforcing the urgency of building a strong, self-reliant defense strategy.
Cooperation with Türkiye and Building Europe Defense
A central pillar of Michel’s vision for Europe defense is close cooperation with neighboring countries and strategic regional partners. He highlighted Türkiye as a critical actor in this effort. “Türkiye is a major regional and strategic actor. Europe cannot think about security, energy routes, migration, or stability in the Mediterranean without Türkiye,” Michel explained.
Michel advocated for practical, project-based cooperation rather than ideological debates. He suggested that Europe and Türkiye should focus on joint projects to build trust and strengthen security in the region. He also emphasized the need to develop a robust European defense industry. This industry should be capable of supporting Europe defense initiatives across the continent.
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Michel said collaboration with countries like the UK, Ukraine, and Türkiye is vital. Such cooperation will help build a real European defense capability that can operate independently if necessary. While Michel acknowledged that defense efforts should ideally happen “with NATO and within NATO,” he warned that Europe must prepare for all eventualities. He highlighted that Europe must develop internal capabilities to respond quickly to crises. Europe must also keep Europe defense ready even if NATO support is delayed or unavailable.
Michel’s remarks signal a critical moment in European politics. By urging strategic autonomy, closer cooperation with Türkiye and other neighbors, and strengthening Europe defense capabilities, he is pushing for a continent that can secure its own destiny. The message is clear: Europe must take bold steps to ensure its security, rather than relying solely on historic alliances.