Europe in total has contributed twice as much to Ukraine as USA. And much of that is spending that actually affects their economy, not just “we’re going to give a billion dollars of equipment that we were going to have to replace soon anyway”. I’m not trying to dismiss USAs contribution here but it’s a fact that much of it is really more of a program to modernise the stock of US military weapons and ammunition, which incidentally frees up old stock for Ukraine.
Also keep in mind that Europe now supports Ukraine by setting up arms production within Ukraine, which gives more weapons per dollar spent than donating weapons made in USA or Europe.
That said, while European military spending has improved a lot since the invasion, there’s still a bit further to go and it’s not such a bad thing if Europe is forced to become more self-reliant militarily.
Will be very short sighted for USA though. They benefit on so many levels from Europe being so dependent on USA.
Will be very short sighted for USA though. They benefit on so many levels from Europe being so dependent on USA.
This is the part that I don't get with the USA's recent obsessions with isolationism. One of the reasons the US is so rich is because it is a world power with a lot of loyal allies. We align a lot of our policies with the US when we are asked (see blocking ASML exports to China).
If the US is not willing to step up for its allies [1], it becomes a regional power, and the loss of influence will result in worse economical outcomes.
China is happy to fill the void.
[1] Also don't forget that (most) allies stepped up when the US asked (Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.), even when much of their population thought it was not the best idea.
Also keep in mind that Europe now supports Ukraine by setting up arms production within Ukraine, which gives more weapons per dollar spent than donating weapons made in USA or Europe.
That said, while European military spending has improved a lot since the invasion, there’s still a bit further to go and it’s not such a bad thing if Europe is forced to become more self-reliant militarily.
Will be very short sighted for USA though. They benefit on so many levels from Europe being so dependent on USA.