Transatlantic Defense Cooperation in the Context of Russia – West Confrontation in Ukraine

Abstract

In recent years, US-EU security and defense cooperation has considerably intensified and expanded due to the extensive military support that the West provides to Ukraine in the armed conflict with Russia. The United States took on the lion’s share of burden in delivering multifaceted military assistance to Kiev. However, the U.S. long-term strategic priorities shift towards the Indo-Pacific area, where Washington faces the prospect of an aggravating stand-off with China and an erosion of American hegemony. The U.S. efforts to avoid an overstretch of resources are likely to entail an essential redistribution of the burden within NATO, as well as a build-up of the EU capabilities. In the case of bringing more responsibilities on the European Union in ensuring the West’s security interests, Washington will have to revise its biased perception of European defense projects, given a race in arms and ammunition production inspired by a fierce struggle between Russia and the West in Ukraine.