European Leaders Face Skepticism Over Renewed Calls for Independence From US Military Support

French soldiers take part in joint military exercises with the British army near Reims, France, on April 22, 2025. Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP/Getty ImagesU.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to withdraw from NATO, as well as ongoing tensions over the Iran conflict, have reinvigorated calls among European leaders for military independence from the United States.However, analysts have been skeptical of proposed alternatives to reliance on U.S. support, raising concerns about timing and internal dynamics among European states.