Security policy is once again in the spotlight. The new US administration is sending mixed signals about its commitment to European defence and pursuing its peace plan for Ukraine without its allies, while in Europe, a debate has ignited about a potential future deployment of Western forces to Ukraine.
Consequently, gathering voices and impressions from around the continent helps delineate how European governments might react – and in what political constellations. To achieve this goal, we asked colleagues from around Europe two questions:
- Is your government reconsidering the transatlantic security relationship and its importance in light of the recent events?
- What is the position of your government on providing troops to a European mission to Ukraine?
This is a rolling publication that will continuously add entries, so stay tuned and follow regularly as we help decipher the puzzle that is the European security landscape.
Estonia – Tony Lawrence
The Trump administration’s attack challenges fundamental tenets of Estonia’s security, but it has been too sudden, furious and volatile to prompt a serious reassessment of transatlantic relations.
Like most European states, Estonia can only try to navigate through these uncertain times. Its perception that US military engagement is essential to deter Russia is unchanged. Around 600 US troops are currently deployed in Estonia. This means Estonia will seek to continue to work with the US wherever possible.
The conviction that Russia must not be allowed to prevail in Ukraine remains unchanged. Officials have not shied away from publicly criticising the position the US has taken in bilateral negotiations with Russia and for Trump’s attacks on President Zelenskyy.
While Estonia has committed to continuing to support Ukraine, the country quietly recognises the need to strengthen European defence arrangements. Above all, it insists, European states must get serious about increasing defence spending. This is justified by the growing threat from Russia, rather than fears of US abandonment.
The government has not engaged in any open discussions about a European mission to Ukraine, suggesting such conversations are premature while the war continues. The public line emphasises putting Ukraine in the best possible position for any future negotiations.
Slovakia – Jozef Hrabina
Slovakia, historically a NATO member state with low public support for the alliance, maintains an ambiguous political stance toward NATO. This is reflected in internal discussions at the Slovak Ministry of Defence (MoD), which have been heavily focused on potential divisions within NATO.
According to a high-ranking MoD official, Slovakia perceives its exclusion from the February Paris Summit as a sensitive issue, particularly as part of NATO’s eastern flank. This region, largely absent from the summit, is expected to bear the primary burden of containing Russia after the current phase of the war in Ukraine ends.
Slovak officials anticipate an internal split within NATO, with Western European countries, led by France and Germany, attempting to shape EU defence policies, Meanwhile, the eastern flank is expected to become more militarised and aligned with US security strategies through bilateral agreements.
Despite these challenges, Slovakia remains committed to NATO membership, viewing multilateral alliances as essential for maintaining its national security. Officials acknowledge the importance of the US as a unifying factor for NATO’s eastern members and emphasise the need for Slovakia to remain part of these frameworks.
Since 2024, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has consistently opposed the deployment of European soldiers to Ukraine, citing concerns over conflict escalation. In early 2025, he reiterated this position, signalling the Slovak government’s firm stance against participation in any unified EU mission. The government believes such missions should fall under the purview of the UN rather than the EU.
But there are indications that Slovakia would consider a limited contribution in specific circumstances. For example, Prime Minister Fico has expressed willingness to deploy Slovakia’s engineering corps to Ukraine, particularly de-mining units, provided there is a signed peace agreement. This nuanced position underscores Slovakia’s cautious approach to direct involvement in Ukraine, while maintaining readiness to contribute to post-conflict recovery under appropriate conditions.
Greece – Antonis Kamaras
For any Greek government, the US administration’s blatant acceptance of the conquest of Ukrainian territory, and determination to negotiate a settlement directly with Russia and not with Ukraine, are anathema. The implications are that in any future military conflict between Greece and Turkiye, the US will not put a ceiling, based on the inviolability of sovereign borders, on Turkish war aims. Consequently, Greece will play the cards it has with the US administration while doubling down on its support of the EU as a collective security provider.
Because of Turkiye’s membership of NATO, the alliance’s Article 5 never addressed Greece’s national security needs. This means there has never been the domestic political legitimacy to risk the lives of Greek soldiers in NATO-led military operations. Sending troops as part of a force to control the situation in Ukraine, even with a European mission, would send shockwaves through Greek public opinion. However, the Greek government will take this risk.
Owing to the US administration’s radical departure from its post WWII policy, Greece is now more exposed to Turkiye’s revisionism than at any time since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. Free-riding is simply not an option.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – Srecko Latal
People and politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina have divergent views on transatlantic security relations, usually related to their ethnic background and/or political affiliation.
Following Trump’s decisions and statements in relation to Ukraine, most Bosniak citizens and politicians fear that possible American political and military withdrawal from Europe would leave Bosnia unprotected, leading to new ethnic violence in the country and the region.
Conversely, Bosnian Serb leaders see these developments as an opportunity for a new secession attempt for Bosnian Serb-dominated territories from the rest of the country. Any such attempt, if left unchecked by the US and EU, would likely lead to new ethnic violence.
Bosnia and Herzegovina armed forces have been participating in UN peacekeeping missions, including those in Afghanistan, Congo and Mali. But divergent political and geopolitical views among the different ethnic leaders, mean these forces would not participate in an EU mission in Ukraine as long as the war continues.
Sweden – Calle Håkansson
Swedish politicians have sought to tread carefully regarding political decisions emerging from the Trump White House. They have emphasised the need to remain calm in the face of US rhetoric and, so far, they have been cautious in criticising the US administration. But in light of the growing uncertainties surrounding US support for Europe, the Swedish government has stressed that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security, highlighting the need to increase defence spending across Europe and shoulder a larger share of the burden for defence and security.
The Swedish political landscape has emphasised that Europe must continue supporting Ukraine. In late January, the Swedish parliament approved its largest military aid package to date. Valued at more than 1.2 billion euros, this package includes new air defence systems, as well as Ukrainian defence industry and production funding.
Regarding discussions on providing troops for a European mission to Ukraine, the government has stressed that no options have been ruled out. It is quite likely that Sweden would contribute troops in some form, if such a European mission is implemented. However, given Sweden’s national defence responsibilities and commitments within NATO, its armed forces’ resources are limited. Furthermore, such a mission can only proceed if a deal is reached that is acceptable to Ukraine.
Bulgaria – Yordan Bozhilov
Relations between Bulgaria and the US have often been described as strategic, based on shared values and interests. In recent years, cooperation has been particularly intense in security and defence, nuclear energy and education. But statements from the US administration regarding European security, the war in Ukraine and the future of transatlantic relations have taken Bulgaria’s political establishment and society by surprise.
It is evident that transatlantic relations are undergoing a profound transformation and that Europe must assume a greater role in its own security and defence. Because of the many unknowns, a substantive debate or statements from politicians regarding the broader shift in these relations and its implications for Europe and Bulgaria are largely absent.
On 21 February 2025, all major political parties in the Bulgarian Parliament adopted a declaration of “non-participation of Bulgarian armed forces in military missions on Ukrainian territory” to address public concern over potential involvement of Bulgarian military personnel in combat operations in Ukraine.
Bulgarian society remains divided on the war in Ukraine, with a significant portion of the population maintaining a favourable view of Russia. This sentiment is rooted primarily in history, as Bulgaria regained its independence following the Russo-Turkish Wars of the 19th century. In the national consciousness, Russia has traditionally been regarded as a “liberator,” and the notion of Bulgarian troops engaging in potential hostilities against Russia remains highly unpopular.
Although positive perceptions of Russia have significantly declined since the war’s onset, they remain substantial and continue to influence Bulgaria’s domestic politics.
Netherlands – Lotje Boswinkel
Rhetoric from the US administration has not gone unnoticed in the Netherlands. On 17 February, Prime Minister Dick Schoof joined key European leaders in Paris for emergency talks, following visits to the continent by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The next day, the Dutch parliament discussed President Donald Trump’s remarks about Ukraine and the consequences for European security.
While most government officials and politicians agree that Europe finds itself at a turning point, many still grapple with what this means for Europe’s relationship with Washington. In Paris, Schoof suggested that American messages should not be viewed as a sign of disengagement but rather a push for fairer burden-sharing. In parliament, uncertainty was expressed about the extent of a potential US retreat, while many acknowledged that any future relationship will be contingent on a much stronger Europe.
When it comes to securing a future deal in Ukraine, a majority in parliament is open to consider military participation in a potential European mission, while highlighting that it would be premature to make any concrete commitments yet. Prime Minister Schoof expressed a willingness to consider sending troops, but mentioned US backing as a key condition: “When things get out of hand, we need to be able to count on the Americans vis-a-vis Russia.”
Geert Wilders, leader of PVV, the largest coalition party, remains vehemently opposed to sending Dutch troops. However, on related topics, including higher defence spending and additional military support to Ukraine, the PVV has walked back previous opposition as a result of “changing circumstances.” In parliament last week, Wilders said he would consider other type of contributions – including “material, money or planes” – should a European mission be created under the right conditions and circumstances: „We will not walk away from such responsibility.”
Slovenia – Jelena Juvan
Despite events and statements coming from President Trump and members of his administration since the inauguration, Slovenia remains strongly devoted to the current transatlantic security relations, supporting the NATO alliance and viewing the US as an important partner of the EU and of Slovenia.
Only collective security and collective defence is appropriate solution for Slovenia. So far, there have not been any changes in formal statements from government’s officials, and the dial has not moved significantly in public discourse. But some pro-Russian groups, such as the Group of Russian-Slovenian Friendship, which existed before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have become louder.
The official government position is that only a peace operation authorised by a UN Security Council resolution – and with the formal approval of Russia and Ukraine – is the only possible and acceptable solution. This is the only condition under which Slovenia will consider deploying its’ soldiers. However, there is not much talk about sending troops, apart from a few questions from journalists. Government officials emphasise that it is too soon to talk about a potential peace operation and possible deployment, as there are still too many questions that have to be answered.
Spain – Félix Arteaga
The Spanish government and its president, Pedro Sánchez, have criticised the US administration’s bullying diplomacy and its unilateral and geopolitical approach, which threatens democracy, digital sovereignty and the security of the European Union.
Consequently, Spain has participated in all meetings between European leaders to discuss a common European position regarding the US on all tensions that have opened up in recent weeks. This includes peace negotiations and military support for Ukraine. Spain has always maintained transatlantic relations with NATO and European relations with the EU on an equal footing, prioritising bilateral security and defence agreements with the US. But statements and gestures from the US administration towards Europe may force Spain to reconsider its position.
In Kyiv, Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez has presented a plan for 1 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine, but considers talk about deploying troops to be premature while negotiations are still in the early stages. Spain is one of the largest contributors of troops to NATO and EU operations, and could contribute to Ukraine if the operation were mandated by a multilateral organisation, with terms of reference acceptable to its armed forces – and with operational backing from NATO.
About the authors
Torben Schütz is Senior Expert for European Security Policy at the Bertelsmann Stiftung.
Tony Lawrence is the Head of the Defence Policy & Strategy Programme and a Research Fellow at the International Centre for Defence and Security
Jozef Hrabina is the Founder of GeopoLytics
Antonis Kamaras is a Research Associate at the Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP)
Srecko Latal is an Independent Analyst
Calle Håkansson is a Researcher at the Swedish Defence Research Agency & Associated Research Fellow at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs
Yordan Bozhilov is the Founder and President of the Sofia Security Forum
Lotje Boswinkel is a PhD researcher at the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS)
Jelena Juvan is Assistant Professor at the Chair of Defence Studies, University of Ljubljana
Félix Arteaga is Senior Analyst at the Real Instituto Elcano
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