As the United States begins withdrawing troops from Romania and potentially other parts of Europe, NATO’s European members must assume greater responsibility for deterring Russian aggression. Despite Russia’s military setbacks in Ukraine, it could rebuild its capabilities, making European preparedness essential. European nations should adopt a defensive doctrine focused on preventing Russian attacks rather than merely punishing them after the fact.
To build an effective deterrent, NATO should take five key steps: the US should continue withdrawing ground forces to encourage European self-reliance; European countries should increase defense spending based on real security needs rather than fixed GDP targets; NATO allies must improve rapid mobilization and deployment capabilities; light defensive forces should be stationed in the Baltic states; and heavier military assets should be deployed across Germany and Poland as reserves and barriers to Russian advances. While Europeans may hesitate to rearm, strengthening Europe’s defenses is essential to preserving peace and protecting democratic societies.
At the end of last month, the Romanian defense ministry announced that roughly 700 US troops would be withdrawn from its borders. Though some American senators expressed alarm over this withdrawal, the number of troops is negligible in the balance of forces between NATO and Russia on the European continent. Nevertheless, even if the United States were to withdraw all its ground forces from Europe, European countries have sufficient capabilities to deter a Russian ground invasion.
And they should. Europe is rediscovering the reality of international politics that effective statecraft will require its own efforts to deter Russian aggression.
The question is, what should they do to deter Russia? […]
First and foremost, European nations must define their military objectives. These objectives should include deterring Russia from attacking NATO territory and minimizing escalation should Russia decide to do so. […]
Europeans’ reluctance to rearm against Russia is understandable. War is one of the most depraved features of humanity, and few ordinary citizens want to leave their families and friends to risk their lives for another nation’s defense. And there is an understandable fear that the continent’s remilitarization will lead to militarism and a return to the oppressive regimes and wars that once plagued the continent.
Yet every nation requires the means to protect its freedom and its citizens. A stronger European NATO does not mean Europe will become infatuated with militarism and goose-step down the Champs-Élysées again. By implementing these measures, peace can be maintained on the rest of the European continent.
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