Following sharp remarks by US President Donald Trump, the question of “Can Europe survive without the US?” began to dominate the world agenda. NTV Foreign News Editor Sare Selvi Öztürk discussed the European-American tension with Prof. Nathalie Tocci, who teaches at the Institute of Transnational Management of the European University.

The relationship between the US and Europe, which dates back to the aftermath of World War II, has suffered blow after blow.

First, US Vice President JD Vance chastised Europe at the Munich Security Conference, and then the US shockingly normalized bilateral relations with Russia by meeting without inviting Europe and Ukraine, causing waves of shock.

European officials are now expressing louder than ever that the time has come to gain independence from America. Are we witnessing the end of the Transatlantic alliance? And as the US prepares to withdraw its support from the continent, can Europeans take responsibility for their own security?

Following Trump’s abrupt change in policy towards Ukraine, calls for Europe to gain independence from America have increased. So, can Europe survive without the US? We are talking about a European Union made up of 27 of the world’s wealthiest and most unique countries, so of course we can easily survive without America in such a scenario. However, looking at history and the current reality, we see a Europe heavily reliant on the United States militarily for most of the past century. This dependency on America is not just in terms of physical and material resources, but Europe also has a psychological dependence on America. If you were to ask most European country leaders today, “Can we defend ourselves without the US?” their answer would most likely be a resounding “no.” Of course, as Europeans, we would like to continue to have the support of such a powerful force as America by our side in our daily lives. But the reality is, we woke up to the fact that we can no longer rely on and trust America as we used to. Therefore, both physically and psychologically, we need to prepare to take care of ourselves without America, as the world’s wealthiest 27 countries. The European Union is a major economic power that can sustain itself. However, when it comes to security, we cannot say the same. So how can Europe feel secure without America? The only way to overcome this challenge is to invest more in the security sector. Currently, European countries allocate 2% of their gross domestic product to security spending. If they can increase this in the future, I believe they will achieve a significant military capability. However, the issue is not just about having military power; it will also require establishing a brand-new communication and coordination system among European countries on how to use this military capability. And more importantly, we European countries do not have to do everything on our own when it comes to security. While America may have turned its back on NATO, there are still countries like Turkey, Canada, Norway, and the UK that support us, care about European safety, and remain allies with NATO. French President Macron has long been known for pushing for a “real European army.” So, do you think it is possible to establish a self-sufficient, real European army? I do not view this as starting a European army from scratch. Regardless of America’s influence, European countries have developed many capabilities in terms of security both among themselves and in cooperation with NATO over time. So, rather than starting a European army from scratch, I am more inclined towards the idea of enhancing our capabilities with the existing expertise and experiences, being in closer contact with all European countries. Especially when a war is going on right next to the European continent, I believe this effort should not be undertaken. In Riyadh, the US and Russia came together to improve their relations and end the war lasting over 3 years. However, neither the EU nor Ukraine was invited to these talks. Should Europeans distance themselves from negotiations between the US and Russia on the war in Ukraine? And how can they intervene again? Do we truly need to be part of these talks as Europeans? I am not sure. This is a matter that ought to be settled between two countries, namely Ukraine and Russia. Currently, the US is trying to reach agreements with Ukraine on valuable minerals and in other contexts, as well as normalize relations with Russia. What are we Europeans, including Turkey, doing? We need to determine what we want, what we can achieve, what our red lines are. Instead of being shaped by the actions of the US, we need to determine our own stance and position. As old alliances crumble, we are going through a period where new alliances are being formed. Where do you see Turkey in this newly formed order? I have always seen Turkey as a European country. Turkey has made a significant contribution to ensuring Europe’s security. Turkey deserves recognition for solid cooperation with NATO, maintaining diplomatic relations with both Ukraine and Russia. Not only in Europe but also in the region, Turkey has played crucial roles, especially in Syria. Therefore, not having stronger cooperation with Turkey would be a complete catastrophe for both Turkey and the European Union. I hope the importance of such a vital relationship is realized, and steps are taken in that direction.