German minister warns Europe against turning away from United States

2026-02-20 - 08:12

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul issued a warning Friday against Europe distancing itself from the United States, arguing that while the continent must strengthen its sovereignty, this should not come at the cost of transatlantic partnership. Speaking to public broadcaster ZDF, Wadephul rejected framing the debate as a binary choice between European independence and American alliance. No Separation, No Choice "That would be a separation, which nobody wants and which is also unnecessary," Wadephul said, dismissing calls for Europe to chart a fully independent course from Washington. He called for an honest debate about what Europe can and must do more of while acknowledging what the United States provides. "This is a reliable alliance," he emphasized, pushing back against narratives of inevitable transatlantic drift. America's Irreplaceable Role Wadephul offered a sober assessment of Europe's defense dependencies, stating bluntly that "without the US, we would not have sufficient defense capabilities in Europe, neither nuclear nor conventional, nor in terms of intelligence information and work." He stressed that the United States remains fully integrated into NATO and plays a crucial role in continental defense, a reality he argued must inform any discussion of European strategic autonomy. Context of Transatlantic Debate The minister's remarks follow Chancellor Friedrich Merz's address at the 62nd Munich Security Conference, where he called for a renewed transatlantic relationship featuring a strong and largely independent European pillar. Merz has repeatedly warned that the United States is moving away from a rules-based international order toward power- and interest-driven politics. Wadephul's more cautious tone reflects the balancing act facing European leaders as they navigate demands for greater strategic autonomy while preserving the alliance that has guaranteed European security for more than seven decades.