Rasmussen warns of NATO disintegration and urges new European defence bloc
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 8
Rasmussen warns of NATO disintegration and urges new European defence bloc
9 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 8
In Berlin, he said only NATO states spending 5% on defence should join, with an Article 5-like guarantee and no national veto over military operations.
He said NATO should remain the cornerstone under the US nuclear umbrella, but Europe must provide its own conventional defence and include Ukraine as a full member.
Rasmussen said he has discussed the idea without firm backing and would welcome leadership from Germany, France, Britain and Italy as Europe rethinks reliance on Washington.
Will a new European defense bloc fortify the continent or fracture the very foundation of the NATO alliance?
Can Europe's economy sustain a 5% defense target without Ukraine's battle-hardened and cost-effective innovation?
The Coalition of the Willing: Europe's Strategic Push for Defense Autonomy Amid NATO Fragility
Overview
In early 2026, former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen proposed transforming the Ukraine-focused Coalition of the Willing into a permanent European defense alliance. This bold move responded to growing doubts about U.S. commitment under Trump, Russia's aggressive hybrid warfare and military buildup, and Europe's heavy reliance on American military and technology support. The coalition aims to strengthen European strategic autonomy with leadership from France, the UK, and Germany, while offering Ukraine long-term security guarantees linked to EU integration. However, challenges remain, including internal disagreements, dependence on U.S. capabilities, and risks of duplicating NATO structures. Political shifts in Europe, like Hungary's new leadership distancing from Russia, may help unify support against external threats.