Defense Minister seeks to prove Europe’s resolve

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen aims to reassure the U.S. of Europe’s commitment to rapid and comprehensive military rearmament at the annual Munich Security Conference (MSC). Acknowledging Europe’s lag in defense contributions, he emphasizes the need to invest more in military capabilities, addressing European concerns over the new U.S. administration’s critique of Europe’s input into NATO’s strength. The U.S. Defense Minister Pete Hegseth presented a peace plan involving concessions Europe opposes, such as Ukraine not returning to its pre-2014 borders and not becoming a NATO member. However, Lund Poulsen advises caution in judging this early-stage process, denying any notion of deference towards the U.S., while asserting the importance of a robust transatlantic cooperation.