The 62nd Munich Security Conference concluded a week of intense diplomacy in Europe with a clear message: European participants are increasingly acting on the assumption that the United States can no longer be treated as an unconditional pillar of security and policy.
That shift is reflected in the conference’s annual report, Under Destruction. Its authors argue that the United States, long seen as one of the main architects of the post-1945 world order, is now helping drive its radical dismantling. The report also notes falling trust in the US as an ally across the G7, against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine and Moscow’s hybrid activity inside the EU.
The report separately cites assessments by European intelligence services: after a hypothetical ceasefire in Ukraine, Russia could rebuild the capacity for a local war against a neighbor in about six months, while preparation for a larger regional conflict could take around two years.
Against that backdrop, the European Union is considering faster and broader steps on Ukraine. On February 11, the European Parliament approved a 90 billion euro loan for Kyiv: 60 billion is intended for military aid and another 30 billion for financial support. The first tranche is expected at the start of the second quarter of 2026. The decision was made possible through the enhanced cooperation mechanism after Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic opposed the loan.
“This is not enough. EU member state governments must also make their contribution,” Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said.
At meetings in Brussels and in the Ramstein format, allies discussed further deliveries. Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov asked partners to urgently transfer missiles for Patriot systems, and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin was ready to provide five PAC-3 interceptors if partners added another 30. According to Fedorov, allies announced almost 38 billion dollars in aid for 2026.
At the same time, EU leaders meeting in Belgium discussed strengthening the bloc’s competitiveness and reducing its strategic dependence on Washington. Still, as the Munich report’s authors acknowledge, Europe remains critically dependent on the US in air defense, intelligence, drones and cybersecurity.