Starmer in Munich: Europe is a sleeping giant and dependence on America must be reduced
In a pivotal speech reflecting a radical shift in the security doctrine of the Old Continent, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer European leaders to break free from the American protective umbrella, describing Europe as a "sleeping giant" possessing the potential for power but lacking the unified political will to utilize it. This came during his highly anticipated address at the Munich Security Conference, where he emphasized the importance of building European defense autonomy, which does not mean severing ties with Washington, but rather strengthening the partnership through a fair sharing of the burden.
Trump's obsession and the future of NATO
Starmer's remarks come at a highly sensitive time for Europe, as concerns grow in major capitals about the consequences of US policies under President Donald Trump . Trump's statements, criticizing weak European military spending and threatening to withdraw defense commitments from countries that fail to pay their fair share, have long been a nightmare for NATO leaders. European leaders now understand, more than ever, that complete reliance on the US nuclear and defense umbrella is no longer a safe and sustainable strategic option given the political volatility in Washington.
In this context, Starmer, in excerpts from his speech published by the Prime Minister's office, outlined a new vision for European security, stating: "I am talking about a vision for European security and greater European autonomy." This vision is a response to a new geopolitical reality that requires Europe to be an active player, not merely a passive recipient of strategic decisions made across the Atlantic.
The economy as a deterrent
The British Prime Minister based his approach on compelling economic facts, explaining that Europe's economic power is ten times greater than Russia's. This vast disparity in economic capabilities raises fundamental questions about why Europe has been unable to translate its financial weight into a deterrent military force capable of curbing Russian ambitions. As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, Starmer seeks to remind his allies that the "sleeping giant" already possesses enormous latent defensive capabilities that simply need to be activated and coordinated.
British and European security: one destiny
Despite Brexit, Starmer was keen to emphasize that geography and a shared destiny link the UK's security to that of the continent. Downing Street explained that the speech would focus on strengthening defense cooperation between London and Brussels, with Starmer stating unequivocally: "There is no British security without Europe, and no European security without Britain." This message aims to move beyond political differences and focus on the existential challenges facing the continent, particularly given Russia's growing assertiveness in the East.
Starmer’s call is not just a passing political statement, but reflects a shift in Western military doctrine towards “strategic autonomy,” a concept long advocated by France, and which Britain now seems to be embracing as an inevitable necessity to ensure the stability of the global order in the 21st century.
