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Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreGermany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has questioned Nato’s future, shifting from his pro-US stance to advocating for stronger European cooperation. His stance has sparked debate over whether Europe should reduce its dependence on the US, particularly as President Donald Trump presses Nato allies to increase defense spending to 5 per cent of GDP.Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who is in Washington to visit the president, has pledged to raise the UK’s defence spending to 2.5 per cent – a move welcomed by the White House but deemed insufficient by Mr Trump, who is urging allies to double their commitments.When we asked for your views, some readers argued for full European military independence, while others warned of the risks and suggested a gradual transition away from Nato. Some even called for cutting ties with the US entirely, accusing it of becoming unreliable.Here’s what you had to say:US dependenceDoes the cost of going it alone outweigh continuing to be so dependent on the US? Probably not… Maybe increasing the spend on defence is the cheaper option? However, Trump’s approach is of real concern, as he seemingly makes strategic decisions without all the information and without engaging his partners. He does get people speaking, but are they having a joined‐up conversation?mootyDiverging US and European priorities I suggest that events will decide the matter. Trump made it very clear in his delegation’s vote the other day at the UN that he is not going to express solidarity with other Nato members from time to time.Foreign policy objectives are diverging and have been for some time. The US is increasingly concerned with China, its expansion, and its threats to US interests in Asia. It is clear now that Europe’s priority will be security on its own continent.There will probably be a formal split in due course. Hopefully, the US will not become hostile to European interests, but simply take less interest. There has long been an isolationist tendency in the US.49niner Defence for dominance Under NATO, Europe exchanged ‘cheap’ defence for American dominance over European foreign policy. Well, American foreign policy has now taken a direction that is unacceptable to European views, and they have made it clear that they will not contribute to the defence of European security and freedom. So there is no real Nato cooperation left.America has also been granted a substantial payment via the purchase of American military hardware that will also be no longer necessary.RebootedyetagainHans2 Europe self-defence is feasible Considering that for all intents and purposes the US has already stepped away from Nato, I think we should acknowledge that reality and stop trying to get the US back on board. The Bruegel think tank wrote that Europe could defend itself without US help, provided it mobilised 300,000 more troops. Increasing defence expenditure to 3.5 per cent of GDP (€250bn extra per year) would cover these and other costs. According to the think tank, this is economically feasible and far less than the amount of money that had to be mobilised to recover from the Covid crisis.Real European High time Europe stood up for itself; essentially, Nato with Ukraine replacing the US. Defence spending within Europe would have hugely beneficial effects on our economies – to the detriment of the US military industrial complex. So, a win-win for Europe. The US is clearly no longer a reliable partner, so stop finding excuses, ignore the critics, and get it done!blackdog10 Europe must unify militarily Yes, Europe needs to be able to stand alone militarily. Looking at the big picture, China will soon be the major superpower. The USA is declining with its inward-looking approach. Russia has declined already, and has not been a superpower for many years and is nearly irrelevant. Europe must unify and strengthen into an economic and military superpower to stand on the world stage.RJMUnited in defence Trump is only demanding European countries increase defence spending so that they’ll buy more weapons from the USA. Europe needs to call his bluff, increase spending, and then boost EU defence manufacturing instead of buying from the US.While it’s doing that, Europe needs to be able to defend itself in the new world order. European leaders should be coming together politically and militarily to build a European Federation that would have one of the largest and certainly best-equipped military forces in the world. Europe combined already has the second-highest defence spending after the US and more military personnel than the US. It wouldn’t be difficult to build a European military command to take the place of the US in Nato.It could take political decisions that would strengthen its hand while having enough military power to back it up. The EU can continue to deal with trade and economics for its members, even ending freedom of movement and handing border control and migration back to sovereign countries to control as they need. That would also cut off the right at their knees and keep Trump and Putin out of European politics.Trump gets what he wants, the UK is back in its rightful place in Europe, Europe becomes stronger and the right are pushed out. What’s not to like?TabbersFree from American dominanceIt is the US under Trump that is moving away from Europe. America’s priorities, according to the president, are elsewhere. So be it. Europe and the UK must take this as an opportunity to free themselves from American dominance and set their own defence and intelligence priorities, to reflect Europe’s needs rather than those of the US. Our leaders, especially the British ones who seem obsessed with the mythical “special relationship”, must understand that countries don’t have friends; they have allies, and alliances are never permanent.DanilovCut ties with the USAWake up, folks! Today’s America is behaving as an enemy that wants our NHS for profit, the wealth of our friends (like Ukraine), our own democracy, our belief in international institutions, our safety from adulterated food, and who knows what next? Our allies are in Europe. We should cut ties with the USA and block the likes of Trump and Musk from addressing our people.SimplesimonBuy time approachTry to set aside emotion. 1. Europe and the US served a mutual need in WWII. Threats from Europe and the East – as is the case now. Nato cut the cost of peace for the US by containing Russia. That persisted until 2025. All treaties change over time, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. 2. For personal political reasons, Trump scorned that. What brought about Nato exists again – Trump’s reaction is different and he’s not ideological. Our position is: A, we’d like to do without him as well, but we cannot – he’s not a good guy to have on your side. B, we need a ‘buy time’ approach at least until we can do without him, which we can. Reason: Russia doesn’t like fighting; it likes flattening, and Europe is too big. So, just like domestic upheaval, find a ‘buy time’ answer that may develop in a European context. Steer a wide course around America and Russia.SimonthehopefulDangling like a puppetTrump and Putin are apparently playing games with Ukraine (and, by inference, Europe). Trump states America will not be part of any peacekeeping force in Ukraine (except to guard “his” minerals), but says Putin is agreeable to the idea of European peacekeepers.Now, Putin and/or his mouthpieces are saying that such a peacekeeping force is unacceptable to Russia.Putin has been dangling Trump like a puppet for some time now, letting Trump boost his own ego with unsubstantiated “look at me and what I’ve done” statements, and then cutting the rope.Europe (and not just the EU) and the UK need to work together on military matters as they have in the past (joint fighter planes, etc.), and most of the time the results are as good as, if not better than, the American options.We need Europe and the UK to stand up to both Trump and Putin by telling them what to do with their “sale” of Ukraine to the highest bidder.My thanks also to Tabbers’ comment about Europe’s combined military levels being second only to the USA, but we don’t apparently have the required amount of working equipment available.ChrisMcNExpand European defence production Europe could build a joint defence based on existing Nato structures. No need to boot the US out or change anything, just leave things in place and build on them. But, starting yesterday, Europe needs to expand its defence production capability – aircraft, tanks, artillery, ships, ammunition. And even the unthinkable: more nuclear weapons, so as to provide a credible deterrent. The UK needs independent nuclear weapons, even if it has to rely on Typhoons to deliver them. And it’s high time Germany pulled its weight in defence (encouraging signs from Merz), including acquiring and being prepared to use nuclear force.oldnuffSome of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity. You can read the full discussion in the comments section of the original article here.The conversation isn’t over. To join in, all you need to do is register your details, then you can take part in the discussion. 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Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreGermany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has stirred debate by calling for Europe to achieve “independence” from the United States and questioning whether Nato can survive.Amid America’s controversial negotiations with Russia on bringing Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine to an end, Merz has distanced himself from Trump’s rhetoric and advocated for stronger European unity.Merz argues that Europe should build its own defence, with potential backing from nuclear powers like the UK and France.However, critics warn that no European alternative can match America’s military strength and that breaking away from Nato could leave Europe exposed to growing global threats.The debate is heating up as UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer revealed – ahead of a meeting with Trump in Washington – that he plans to increase defence spending by 2.5 per cent of GDP, adding £13.4 billion annually by 2027 to counter threats like Russia. With Merz pushing for greater European cohesion, we want to know if you think Europe should chart its own defence path with the US. Or would leaving Nato put the continent in danger?Share your thoughts in the comments – we’ll feature the most compelling responses.All you have to do is sign up and register your details – then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreSir Keir Starmer is reportedly set to propose deploying British troops to Ukraine as part of a 30,000-strong European “reassurance force” during his meeting with Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., next week.The plan, developed with France, would station troops in key locations such as cities, ports, and nuclear sites – but not near the frontlines. It would focus on intelligence gathering, airspace monitoring, and securing critical infrastructure. Sir Keir will present the plan to President Trump during his first official White House visit since the election. He is expected to urge the US to keep fighter jets and missiles on standby in Eastern Europe to deter any Russian violations of a potential agreement.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the plan “unacceptable” for Moscow, while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that any Nato troops in Ukraine would be a “direct threat,” regardless of their banner.News of Sir Keir Starmer’s plans comes amid rising concerns about Britain’s military readiness, with some suggesting the reintroduction of conscription.Now we want to know what you think: Should British troops be deployed in Ukraine? Do you think Starmer’s proposals go far enough? Are you worried about the state of Britain’s armed forces? Is there a better way to back Ukraine without direct military involvement?Share your thoughts in the comments – we’ll feature the most compelling responses.All you have to do is sign up and register your details – then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreRussia and the United States shook hands today on an agreement to resume full diplomatic relations and establish Ukraine peace talks, cementing an extraordinary reversal of international policy under Donald Trump’s presidency.US secretary of state Marco Rubio greeted his smiling counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Riyadh and said ending the war could open “incredible opportunities that exist to partner with the Russians geopolitically on issues of common interest and, frankly, economically”.Immediately, Russia hardened its demands even further over Ukraine, dismissing the idea put forward by Sir Keir Starmer of British or other Nato-led peacekeeping troops in the event of a truce.“We explained today that the appearance of armed forces from … Nato countries, but under a false flag, under the flag of the European Union or under national flags, does not change anything,” Lavrov said. “This is unacceptable to us.”The talks in Saudi Arabia – unthinkable even six months ago – were aimed as a step toward ending Russia’s war in Ukraine after Mr Trump ordered officials to begin negotiations.Mr Rubio said the sides agreed as a first step to re-establish full staffing of their respective embassies, reversing the expulsions that followed Mr Putin’s invasion.He said those moves had “really diminished our ability to operate in Moscow” and that Russia would say the same about its mission in Washington. “We’re going to need to have vibrant diplomatic missions that are able to function normally,” he said.Mr Lavrov said that “the conversation was very useful”.The comments were likely to cause dismay in Europe, where leaders met in Paris on Monday to discuss Mr Trump’s desire to end US transatlantic security guarantees.Ukraine was shut out of Tuesday’s meeting in the Saudi capital.President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has already said his country will not accept the outcome of any talks it has not taken part in, was visiting Turkey where he reiterated his demand for a full return to 2014 borders, before the annexation of Crimea.“No matter how difficult it is for us, Ukraine will not legally recognise the parts occupied by Russia,” he told reporters. “The east is ours, Crimea is ours and all the other towns and villages that are important for us.”Kyiv’s participation in such talks was a bedrock of US policy under Mr Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, whose administration also led international efforts to isolate Russia over the war.White House officials have rejected the claim Europe has been left out of the conversation, noting that administration officials have spoken to several leaders.The meeting at the Diriyah Palace also highlights de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to be a major diplomatic player, burnishing a reputation severely tarnished by the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Saudi state media described the talks as happening at the prince’s direction. Saudi Arabia has also helped in prisoner negotiations and hosted Mr Zelensky for an Arab League summit in 2023.However, Mr Zelensky on Tuesday cancelled a visit to the kingdom planned for later this week.Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreA split has emerged among European nations over whether to match Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to send UK troops to Ukraine, as allies thrash out a response to US president Donald Trump’s push for a deal with Vladimir Putin. Divisions became clear as leaders attended an emergency summit in Paris amid fears Washington will cut its transatlantic defence commitments.The emergency summit was called after Mr Trump announced his plan to sideline Europe by holding Ukraine peace talks directly with Mr Putin.Sir Keir said he would be willing to contribute to security guarantees by “putting our own troops on the ground if necessary”, echoing similar statements by France’s Emmanuel Macron. He later called for the US to provide a “backstop” to deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again if the UK were to put troops on the ground. “Europe must play its role, and I’m prepared to consider committing British forces on the ground alongside others if there is a lasting peace agreement.“But there must be a US backstop, because a US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again”, he told reporters after the meeting in Paris. But several other EU nations declined to follow Britain’s lead, with Poland ruling out such a move. “Poland will support Ukraine as it has done so far: organisationally, in accordance with our financial capabilities, in terms of humanitarian and military aid,” prime minister Donald Tusk told reporters before boarding a plane to Paris.“We do not plan to send Polish soldiers to the territory of Ukraine. We will … give logistical and political support to the countries that will possibly want to provide such guarantees in the future, such physical guarantees.”Keir Starmer is in Paris for talks on Ukraine with European partners (Carl Court/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreDonald Trump said he and Russian president Vladimir Putin agreed by phone to begin negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine and will “work together, very closely”.Announcing a huge shift in US foreign policy via social media, the US president said on Wednesday that the leaders are to meet in person and their respective teams will start talks “immediately”.Mr Trump also spoke at length with Volodymyr Zelensky, which the Ukrainian president’s aide described as a “good conversation”.But it came as US defence secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out Nato membership for Ukraine – the stance agreed by Britain, Europe, and Joe Biden – and suggested Kyiv should abandon hope of a return to its pre-2014 borders.Sir Keir Starmer responded that Britain would not soften its support for Ukraine, saying it “needs to be in the strongest possible position” ahead of any talks.Former armed forces minister Sir Nick Harvey expressed dismay at Washington for “ditching support to Ukraine before its hoped-for negotiations have even begun” and said the shift in policy “smacks of blackmail”.“It is essential for the democratic world to stand by Ukraine and not consort with its enemies,” he said.Reform UK leader Nigel Farage insisted it was “probably essential” for Ukraine to join Nato as part of any settlement.US vice-president JD Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and Mr Trump’s special Russia-Ukraine envoy, retired general Keith Kellogg, will all be in Germany later this week for the annual Munich Security Conference, which Mr Zelensky will also attend.Mr Trump’s phone call on Wednesday followed a prisoner swap in which Russia released American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, of Pennsylvania, after more than three years of detention in return for convicted Russian cryptocurrency money launderer Alexander Vinnik.“We each talked about the strengths of our respective nations, and the great benefit that we will someday have in working together,” Mr Trump said in a social media post. “But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine.” Mr Trump said they also “agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately”.Mr Trump’s announcement appeared to dismantle the Biden-era mantra that Kyiv would be a full participant in any decisions made. “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” Mr Biden and his top national security aides said repeatedly. White House officials on Wednesday declined to clarify if Ukraine would be a party to the US talks with Russia.Even before Mr Trump’s announcement, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Ukraine being forced to cede part of its country to Russia would be the “greatest betrayal of a European ally” since Poland in 1945.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the conversation between Mr Trump and Mr Putin covered a good deal of ground, including the Middle East and Iran in addition to Ukraine, which was the main focus.Mr Peskov said that Mr Trump called for a quick cessation of hostilities and a peaceful settlement and that Mr Putin “emphasized the need to remove the root causes of the conflict and agreed with Trump that a long-term settlement could be achieved through peace talks”.He added: “The Russian president invited the US president to visit Moscow and expressed readiness to host US officials in Russia for issues of mutual interest, naturally including Ukraine, the Ukrainian settlement.” More