Brussels, my love? Europe's defense against Trump and Putin

Euronews

15-03-2025

Europe needs to be able to defend itself against Russia, with or without the United States. That's the consensus in Brussels in light of Donald Trump's increasing alignment with the Kremlin. The EU reacted with proposals for massive defense spending programmes worth 800 billion euros. Other countries like the United Kingdom, Canada and Turkey are part of the process too.
Are Europeans ready for a new geopolitical reality and defend itself? This comes with a hefty price tag. Germany is approaching the issue with a whatever-it-takes mentality… Should Europe be willing to do that?
Questions to this edition's guests, all of them members of the European Parliament: Li Andersson from the Left group, Krzysztof from the Socialists & Democrats and Pekka Toveri from the European People's Party (EPP).
When the Berlin Wall came down, Europe was jubilant. It symbolized the end of the Cold War - and the beginning of chronic under-investment in defense. Many European countries stopped mandatory military service and reduced arsenals and troop strength.
The gaps were filled by 100,000 U.S. troops and nuclear weapons under the NATO umbrella. That era seems to be coming to an end. Trump's dizzying changes to the post-war order leaves European leaders scrambling to re-organize Europe's own defense, no matter the hefty price tag.
The aim is twofold: to continue to stand 'shoulder to shoulder' with Ukraine and to be ready for the moment that may or may not come - the moment America turns it back on Europe completely. Is Europe finally waking up and smelling the coffee brewing in Washington and Moscow?
Another topic: Trump's long-term vision of replacing taxes with tariffs has already caused nervousness among consumers - and among investors, who hate nothing more than uncertainty. Yet Washington keeps punishing its major trading partners Canada and Mexico, only to grant deferrals or exemptions the next morning. Meanwhile, the EU hit back at Trump's imposed 25% global steel and aluminum announcing retaliation. Can a trade war still be avoided?
Donald Trump hates the European Union. According to him, the bloc was only created to "screw the United States". Now he's on a mission to seek payback for past decades during which the Europeans took advantage of America, as he believes it. Is Europe prepared for an economic rollercoaster that could end up in a global recession?
Trump was elected on a pro-growth platform, but now the 'Trump bump' risks becoming the 'Trump slump' across financial markets. Can Europe escape such an economic downturn? Where should we look for support?
Finally, the panel discussed women's rights in the EU. A few days ago, the European Commission unveiled a roadmap for women's rights – the only mention of equality in its entire work programme. Last term, key legislation for equality was passed, including the Pay Transparency Directive, new EU rules on gender balance on corporate boards and the Work-Life Balance Initiative.
This time, however, equality doesn't appear to be a priority. Yet, Europe remains far from achieving gender equality, with persistent pay gaps, gender-based violence and unequal domestic labour still posing major challenges.
Serbia's capital, Belgrade, was on edge on Friday night as thousands of people participated in a 'joyful prelude' protest to a major anti-government rally on the weekend against President Aleksandar Vucic.
Serbians came out to welcome thousands of university students who converged on Belgrade from across the country for the rally planned for Saturday.
Saturday's protest is regarded as a culmination of months of anti-graft demonstrations in the Balkan country that have posed the biggest challenge so far for Vucic's decade-long firm grip on power in Serbia.
Protesters waved flags, chanted slogans and lit up flares and fireworks in the downtown streets of Belgrade. The image painted a contrast to weeks of fear-mongering spread by Vucic's populists with an aim to dissuade people from attending Saturday's rally.
The autocratic leader has repeatedly warned that violence is planned at the rally and threatened arrests over any incidents. Vucic supporters have been camping in the city centre, further fuelling fears of clashes with security forces.
Vucic warned and reiterated claims that Western intelligence services were behind the protests that aim to oust him from power.
'I do not accept blackmail, I will not agree to pressure, I am the president of Serbia and I won't allow the street to set the rules,' Vucic said.
Students have led the nationwide anti-graft movement, which started after a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station and killed 15 people in Serbia's north more than four months ago.
Earlier, police detained six opposition activists on suspicion of 'preparing actions against the constitutional order and security' a day after an alleged recording of their meeting was broadcast on pro-government television stations on Thursday.
'The Serbian state will do everything to secure peace,' Vucic said. 'Those disrupting peace will be arrested and severely punished.'
Previous student-led rallies in other Serbian cities have been peaceful while drawing huge crowds.
In Belgrade, tensions soared after Vucic's supporters, including former paramilitary fighters, set up a camp in a park outside the presidency building. Tractors were parked around the camp on Friday.
Authorities said that the parliament building across the street would be locked for the next three days because of security reasons. Railway traffic was suspended, along with many bus links to Belgrade.
Responding to tensions, the European Union's mission in Serbia said on Friday that 'freedom of assembly is a fundamental right' and the safety of participants and institutions must be ensured. 'Violence must be avoided,' warned the EU.
Serbia is formally seeking EU membership, but the governing populists have been accused of stifling democratic freedoms while strengthening relations with Russia and China.