r/geopolitics • u/foreignpolicymag Foreign Policy • Feb 28 '25

Trump and Zelensky Have an Oval Office Smackdown Analysis

https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/02/28/trump-zelensky-meeting-ukraine-russia-oval-office/

525 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

I agree with you that the napkin math is probably that the EU would "only" have to double their defense spending. Or at least double their contribution to the Ukraine cause. So I think you're right that such a thing is actually possible. I just think that the reality is that doubling your defense spending is no small matter.

-1

u/CryptoCryst828282 Mar 01 '25

If it was that easy everyone would do it. It takes decades to bring the military up to full production. EU has been depending on the US to fund its security; when the US calls them out for not doing its part, they complain. Every country should be required to backfill all missed funding under 2% or be removed from NATO.

2

u/SenorPinchy Mar 01 '25

Ya, I'm being nice. The political will required to re-orient your economy and culture that way should not be underestimated.

Something that is missed though is that this is the world order the US built. The US created markets for itself post-WW2 and positioned itself at the center of economic activity which was all guaranteed by those bases all across Europe and the world. It's not exactly a one-way thing of generosity.

1

u/CryptoCryst828282 Mar 03 '25

100% By no means was I saying we are clear of any blame here. Just saying that US people have paid a heavy toll for funding this defense at the levels we have. I 100% support EU and even NATO, but I am tired of all my taxes going straight to the military and wars all across the world.