The panel was moderated by Dr. Tomasz SMURA, Board Member of the Casimir Pulaski Foundation and Director of the Defence Track at the Warsaw Security Forum, Poland. The discussion featured the following speakers: Nicole KOENIG, Head of Policy at the Munich Security Conference Foundation, Germany; Lieutenant General Eric PELTIER, Deputy Director of the General Directorate for International Relations and Strategy at the Ministry of Armed Forces, France; James CARAFANO, Senior Counselor to the President and E.W. Richardson Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, USA; Charles POWELL, Director of the Elcano Royal Institute, Spain; and Rob de WIJK, Founder of The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, the Netherlands.

The discussions focused on the evolving transatlantic relationship in the context of Donald Trump’s return to the White House and three years since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Panelists noted that Europe’s Plan A—based on the hope that the U.S. will remain a reliable security partner—is no longer sufficient. Plan B involves developing European strategic autonomy, particularly in defense, but this transition is complex and has significant implications for NATO cooperation.

While full European autonomy is seen as unrealistic in the short term, participants stressed the importance of building a robust European defense industrial base to complement, not replace, U.S. capabilities. The U.S. remains indispensable in areas such as command and control, intelligence, and advanced technological capacities (e.g., sixth-generation fighter jets, long-range missiles, access to space). Nevertheless, Europe must increase its contribution, including through partnerships with non-NATO allies such as South Korea and Japan.

Germany was highlighted as a key player, with the financial resources and political commitments to assume a leadership role in European defense. The German Chancellor made symbolic visits to Paris, Warsaw, and NATO, committing to transform Germany into a central force in conventional European defense.

The panel also emphasized the need for Europe to defend its democratic institutions against external interference, enhance its resilience, and address internal vulnerabilities.

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