Official announcements from the European Union or NATO

Zelenskyy Calls for Europe to Boost Defense to 5% of GDP and Develop Iron Dome Amid Trump's Presidency

Jan 21, 2025, 03:43 PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Europe to strengthen its role on the global stage and take greater responsibility for its own security, in light of Donald Trump's recent inauguration as U.S. President. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a unified European security and defense policy, urging that Europe must learn to take care of itself so that it cannot be ignored by the world. He questioned whether Trump would pay attention to Europe, consider NATO necessary, and respect EU institutions, expressing concerns about Europe's standing in U.S. priorities. Zelenskyy also highlighted the importance of Europe not being a bystander in global affairs, suggesting it should actively shape the terms of international agreements. He advocated for Europe to invest in defense, potentially up to 5% of GDP, and develop its own version of the Iron Dome to ensure security independence, while criticizing Europe's ongoing dependency on Russian gas.