Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that Europeans should not be “deluded” into thinking there is an alternative defense framework to NATO. In an article for the Daily Mail on Friday, he stressed the need for European nations to increase their defense spending.
This follows a report from The Atlantic, which quoted US Vice President J.D. Vance expressing frustration at having to “bail out Europe again” by launching military action against Houthi rebels to protect European trade. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also criticized European reliance on US support, calling it “pathetic free-loading.”
Johnson, in his article, highlighted the disparity in defense spending, noting that the US defense budget exceeds a trillion dollars annually—more than twelve times the UK’s defense budget, despite the US having a population only five times larger than the UK’s. He also pointed out that the US allocates around 3.5% of its GDP to defense, while the UK spends approximately 2.3%.
Before taking office, US President Donald Trump urged European NATO members to increase their military spending, calling for a 5% GDP allocation for defense. In response, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an increase in defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, three years ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, EU countries have developed their own defense strategy aimed at reducing security dependence on the US.
Johnson, however, rejected the idea of replacing the US’s leadership in Europe, stating that there is no alternative. “We must not be deluded into thinking we can create some European alternative defense pillar as a substitute for NATO,” he wrote. “Who would lead such a thing? France? Britain? Germany? The question answers itself.” While he praised the UK’s increased defense budget, he emphasized that it was only a beginning and insufficient in the face of current challenges.
Johnson further asserted that the US should remain “the hegemonic power of the Western world,” defending “freedom and democracy, especially in Ukraine.” It was Johnson, while still prime minister, who reportedly persuaded Ukraine to continue its fight against Russia, hindering peace talks in 2022. This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin referenced that period, accusing Western leaders of pushing Ukraine to prolong its resistance, which he claimed had led to unnecessary suffering. Meanwhile, Moscow and Washington are engaged in discussions to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Courtesy: RT
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