For decades after the end of the Cold War in 1989, defense was not a high priority for European leaders.
Military spending was slashed, armed forces were downsized, and equipment stockpiles depleted, resulting in diminished combat readiness.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, however, served as a wake-up call and prompted European governments to reverse course and focus on defense.
Growing uncertainty about US security commitments under President Donald Trump accelerated the trend.
