Key facts
- Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen proposed a new European defense coalition.
- The proposed coalition is named a "coalition of the willing."
- Ukraine is proposed to be included in this coalition.
- The coalition aims to bolster European defense capabilities.
- The proposal considers potential shifts in U.S. support.
- Rasmussen highlighted Ukraine's military strength.
- Rasmussen emphasized Ukraine's role as a bulwark against Russia.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former Secretary General of NATO, has put forward a proposal for a new European defense coalition. This initiative, which he terms a "coalition of the willing," is envisioned to include Ukraine. The primary objective of this coalition is to strengthen European defense capabilities, especially in scenarios where United States support might diminish. Rasmussen specifically pointed to Ukraine's considerable military prowess and its function as a critical barrier against Russian expansionism as justifications for its inclusion in such a framework. The proposal suggests that integrating Ukraine into this coalition would leverage its existing military strength and strategic importance in enhancing the collective security of Europe.