Ben Hodges warns Europe lacks political will for independent defense

Retired U.S. General Ben Hodges, former commander of U.S. Army Europe, stated in Vienna that while Europe possesses the economic strength, industrial capacity, and military technology to defend itself without the United States, it lacks the necessary political will to act collectively.

Speaking at an event organized by Raiffeisen Capital Management, Hodges noted that the Trump administration has shifted its strategic priorities, placing Europe fourth behind the Western Hemisphere, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East. He indicated that Washington expects European nations to take the lead in conventional defense, while the U.S. maintains the nuclear umbrella.

Hodges warned that a potential Ukrainian defeat could lead to Russian aggression against the Baltic states or Moldova, triggering massive refugee waves and disruptions to food and energy supplies. He emphasized that Europe's ability to defend itself depends on unifying its combined wealth, population, and technological capabilities to face shared security threats.