Editorial: Le Monde

Feb. 17, 2025

The relationship between Europe and the United States is historically tense and has been aggravated by recent political circumstances and events.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has caused upset with his far-right speech supporting the far-right AfD party in Germany.
U.S. interference in the German elections has elicited criticism.
Concerns loom over the future of Ukraine and its aggressor, Vladimir Putin, given the U.S. President's apparent haste to make peace and withdraw from Europe.
Europe needs to maintain its economic and military support to Ukraine to ensure its position of strength.
There is a growing awareness of insufficient spending on defence and the need for increased budgets for this purpose.
The risk of losing protection from the U.S. could have catastrophic implications for European unity.

Conclusion: Europe's security now largely depends on the Europeans themselves and their ability to maintain cohesion. This involves a greater focus on investment in defence and reducing dependence on the U.S.