‘It is time that the EU stands on our own feet’ : Concerns about US policy make NATO tremble
Written by Vicent Llorca Mascarell, Journalist, LIMUN 2026
Yesterday, the European Council had the first session of this conference. The topic was an urgent one in today’s international landscape: Strengthening EU defence capabilities. Poland proposed a moderated caucus on Strategic Autonomy of the EU.
Whilst every nation agreed on advancing a strategic defense plan and deepening European Cooperation, a rhetoric division was set: Should the countries rely on NATO for the time being?
On one bank of the river, we find countries like Italy. They believe NATO is still very alive, they think that ‘our alliance with NATO cannot disappear over time... we cannot be fully autonomous tomorrow’. A pragmatic approach that many second. ‘We need to grow autonomy’ but ‘we don’t need to question the existence of NATO itself’ Macron stated. Also Portugal advocates for maintaining cooperation rather than severing NATO bonds.
On the other bank, some cry against the US international position, rendering those cries into criticism against NATO. Germany for instance strongly stated that ‘we are dependent on production, on industry, from the US. The US is too important for us’. On similar lines, Greece is of the idea that ‘the European Union is about working together’ . Poland joined the wave, ‘it is time that the EU stands on their own feet!’
We can find some independent claims floating around. Cyprus reminds us that not every European member is a NATO ally, Romania puts the focus on cybersecurity and Ireland poses the question of how to use the money wisely.
The question is the constant repeated all through international relations, will the European leaders be able to build up a bridge (and perhaps a wall)?
