European Defense Spending

Let's assume the Europeans are defending themselves against Russia (I mean who else would we talk about). Russian military spending is $65 billion compared to European $289 billion, so even at low percentages of GDP the Europeans are out spending the Russians by a factor 4 (let's assume military capability is related to spending), so clearly the Europeans are financing their own defence against Russia and don't rely on the US for their defence. In fact estimated Chinese military s

Europe, with the exception of the countries directly bordering Russia and Greece (buying weapons to point at fellow NATO member Turkey), has spent decades underinvesting in national defense, arguably freeloading under American hegemony. Now that that's coming to an end, expect things to get worse.

Yes, that is more or less true. EU countries can afford to spend so little on military because the USA protects Europe's interests in other parts of the world including the ocean and middle east. Trump toyed with the idea of withdrawing from NATO and EU panicked because they have no military.

Why does the EU need the US military? China and Ukraine mostly?

No, that's the logic of a 15 years old playing call of duty.Europe has spent less on military because after the cold war and still today, it never had any realistic threat. Russia can't even take few miles off Ukraine.The only realistic threat is the US, which is an ally, in theory. Now a threat.

Europe would be almost wholly dependent on the US for defense against Russia. Just 3 or 4 years ago Germany had something like only ~10 fully operational fighter jets and literally ZERO operational submarines. The situation has improved slightly since then, but the military of most NATO members is puny. France and Britain are probably the only European nations that would provide any significant military force.

https://www.bruegel.org/analysis/defending-europe-without-us...Well, seems like some in Europe have doubts about it.

The problem is that Europe is a vassal. If Russia invades then the US will have to help defend Europe. Trump was right that European countries should spend more on defence, but at the same time very dishonest about the quid pro quo going on. Free rein for US companies, the Mastercard tax, the Visa Tax... Also for too long European defence spending actually means buying weapons from the US. Europe should spend more on defence and spend it at home, but that is the opposite of what Trump wants.

Europe has benefited a lot from not having to pour tons of money into defense spending. Europeans will be hurting if their countries suddenly have to shift finances for this.I think it’s much easier to just hunker down and appease the United States for four years and hope the next administrations are more merciful.

If spending money on military and "defending" Europe doesn't serve American interests, why not just leave Europe and let us defend ourselves? Your army stays to make sure it protects your interest, not ours.If you think USA is doing us a favour, just leave Europe, and Middle East, and Africa, and Asia. Just go back to your continent and let us deal with Putin and other challenges best we can. We don't need neither your "protection" nor your "protection fee&q