Jan 29, 2026
Tatyana Deryugina
, Yuriy Gorodnichenko, and Ilona Sologoub
Given the growing doubts about American security guarantees, Ukraine is now the first and by far most effective line of defense for Europe. It should therefore be recognized as a key element of Europe’s defense perimeter, with access to European funding, technology, networks, and intelligence.
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – In a new geopolitical reality where US protection is far from assured, Russian aggression raises a key question for Europe: Who can defend the continent? Although European countries belonging to the European Union or NATO have substantial military forces on paper, their readiness is far from clear. Many troops are not battle-tested, much of the equipment seems inadequate for the new age of warfare that has been unfolding in Ukraine, and core NATO functions remain critically dependent on US capabilities. Thus, the top-line statistics do not paint an accurate picture.
