For decades after the end of the Cold War in 1989, defense was not a high priority for European leaders.
Military spending was slashed, armed forces were downsized, and equipment stockpiles depleted, resulting in diminished combat readiness.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, however, served as a wake-up call and prompted European governments to reverse course and focus on defense.
Growing uncertainty about US security commitments under President Donald Trump accelerated the trend.
Germany even amended its constitution to remove borrowing limits for defense, giving Berlin free rein over military spending.
