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They emphasized a core principle: allies do not interfere in each other’s democratic decisions. The exchange underscored a growing transatlantic divide—not just over Ukraine, but over Europe’s long-term strategic autonomy. A Race Against Structural Limits Despite rising budgets and political momentum, experts warn that money alone will not solve Europe’s defence problem.

Séamus Boland of the European Economic and Social Committee described Europe as an attractive target precisely because of its democratic constraints. EU defence officials acknowledge deep structural challenges: regulatory bottlenecks, slow procurement cycles, and fragmented industrial capacity. According to Thomas Regnier, spokesperson for EU defence and technology policy, early findings from the Defence Industrial Readiness Survey confirm long-standing problems: delays, incompatible systems, and production limits.

Brussels has begun fast-tracking regulatory reforms, introducing flexible funding rules and simplifying approval processes. But decades of underinvestment cannot be undone overnight. What Happens Next Early signs show strong demand.

SAFE has already received requests covering nearly 700 projects, with close to €50 billion sought for air defence, ammunition, missiles, drones, and maritime systems. Up to €22. 5 billion in pre-financing could be released by early 2026.

Timelines are tight. Europe must modernise its defence industry, sustain support for Ukraine, and respond to increasingly explicit warnings from NATO and Washington. As EU officials increasingly acknowledge, the central question has changed.

Europe is no longer asking whether it should act—but whether it can act fast enough