For years, Europe has relied on the United States as the world’s policeman, assuming we would foot the bill and send our troops while they focused on social programs, green energy initiatives, and bureaucratic red tape. That model is unsustainable and, frankly, unfair to American taxpayers. Now, with the war in Ukraine dragging on and political realities shifting in Washington, European leaders are finally beginning to acknowledge that they must take greater responsibility for their own security.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently suggested that a coalition of European nations should step up to defend a future Ukraine peace deal. While it’s refreshing to hear a European leader say this, it’s something that should have been happening all along. The fact that we’re only having this conversation now—after billions of dollars in U.S. aid, years of European foot-dragging on defense spending, and increasing political tensions between Ukraine and the West—shows just how much Europe has taken American protection for granted.

Europe Must Do the Heavy Lifting

Starmer himself admitted that “Europe must do the heavy lifting” in securing Ukraine’s future, and he’s absolutely right. The United States should not be the first, second, and third option when it comes to defending Europe. That responsibility must fall primarily on the nations closest to the conflict—those most directly affected by Russian aggression.

This is why the idea of the UK and France leading a peace deal makes sense. Both countries have the military capability, economic clout, and strategic interest in ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty. Unlike Germany, which has been hesitant to embrace a leading role in European defense, the UK and France have historically been willing to act when needed. They are also geographically and politically tied to European security in ways the United States simply isn’t. If a peace deal is to be reached and enforced, it must be driven by European leaders willing to commit resources—not just American taxpayers footing the bill.

For too long, European nations have coasted under the umbrella of U.S. protection. They have underfunded their militaries, preferring to pour money into bloated welfare states while assuming America would always be there to clean up the mess. But as recent events have shown, American support is not a blank check. The U.S. has its own interests to consider, and while we should always stand by our allies, we cannot be expected to carry them indefinitely.

Trump Was Right: Europe Must Pay Its Fair Share

For years, President Trump has insisted that NATO members meet their defense spending commitments. The UK has now pledged to increase its defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, up from 2.3%. This is a step in the right direction, but it’s still not enough. Germany, France, and other European nations must significantly boost their defense budgets if they expect to deter Russian aggression and secure Ukraine’s future.

Let’s not forget that NATO has a defense spending target of 2% of GDP for all member nations—a commitment they agreed to in 2014. And yet, as of 2023, many countries, including Germany, Belgium, and Spain, still hadn’t met that goal. It shouldn’t have taken a full-scale war on European soil to convince them to take their own security seriously.

A Smart Way to Fund Ukraine’s Defense

One of the most promising aspects of Starmer’s plan is the UK’s decision to use profits from frozen Russian sovereign assets to fund Ukraine’s defense. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Western nations have frozen hundreds of billions of dollars in Russian state-owned assets. Redirecting these funds to support Ukraine’s war effort and eventual reconstruction isn’t just practical—it’s a matter of basic justice.

Let’s be clear: Russia launched an illegal war, slaughtered innocent civilians, and inflicted massive destruction on Ukraine’s infrastructure. Why should American and European taxpayers be expected to shoulder the cost of rebuilding what Putin destroyed, when Russia’s own frozen wealth is sitting there as an obvious source of funding? This is not just a smart financial move; it is a moral imperative. The West must ensure that the aggressor pays for the damage it caused. This commonsense approach should be adopted across the board—including by the United States.

Unfortunately, the Trump administration has not publicly supported the idea of using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. In fact, recent actions suggest a step in the opposite direction. The administration disbanded a task force originally established during the Biden era to seize assets from Russian oligarchs as a punitive measure against the Kremlin. That’s a mistake. If we are serious about backing Ukraine while protecting Western taxpayers, repurposing Russian wealth isn’t just an option—it’s the most logical and just solution.

The Biden administration was hesitant to fully embrace this model, likely out of fear of provoking Moscow. But let’s be honest—Russia already escalated this conflict long ago. Using their frozen assets to help Ukraine fight back isn’t an act of aggression; it’s holding them accountable. The U.S. and its allies should not hesitate to ensure that Russia, not hardworking Western citizens, foots the bill for the devastation it has caused.

The United States’ Reliability Is in Question—And That Cuts Both Ways

There has been a great deal of hand-wringing in Europe over whether the United States is still a “reliable ally” following Trump’s tense meeting with Zelenskyy. Predictably, European politicians and media figures have seized on this moment to claim that America can no longer be counted on to support Ukraine.

But let’s be honest—this is political theater. The real question isn’t whether the United States is reliable; it’s whether Europe is.

For decades, European nations have failed to meet their NATO commitments, ignored U.S. warnings about energy dependence on Russia, and avoided taking decisive action when crises arose. When Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, Europe responded with little more than sternly worded statements. When Trump called on them to increase defense spending, they dragged their feet.

Now, with the war in Ukraine reaching a critical juncture, European leaders are suddenly worried about America’s reliability? The hypocrisy is astounding. The reality is that Europe’s own reliability has been questionable for years.

A New Era for European Defense

The war in Ukraine has changed the geopolitical landscape. Europe is finally beginning to realize that it cannot continue outsourcing its security to the United States. The UK and France taking the lead in peace negotiations is a step in the right direction. Increased European defense spending is an even better step. And using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defense is a model that should be expanded.

The United States can and should remain a strong ally, but our European partners must step up and take ownership of their own security. The sooner they do, the more stable and secure the world will be. America is not going to be Europe’s endless safety net. It’s time they learned to stand on their own two feet.