Former Nato chief says Britain and France should take charge of Europe’s defences without Donald Trump's help

Fintan Starkey
Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:29:11 +0000

The former head of Nato has urged Britain and France to take charge of a European defence coalition capable of operating independently from Washington.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who led Nato from 2009 to 2014, made the comments following President Trump's characterisation of Nato as a "paper tiger" and his statement that leaving the alliance was "beyond reconsideration."

Mr Rasmussen said: "I still consider Nato the cornerstone of European and North Atlantic security."

However, he added: "After President Trump has raised doubts about his commitment towards Article Five and the whole Nato alliance, we need to strengthen the European pillar of Nato."

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

The proposal would see an existing 35-nation coalition, currently headquartered in Paris, expand its remit from Ukraine protection to broader continental defence. Leadership would rest with Europe's two nuclear powers.

Mr Rasmussen envisions Ukraine playing a central role within this expanded security framework, serving as a defensive barrier against Moscow.

"Ukraine will actually be an asset within this Coalition of the Willing," he said.

The former secretary-general argued that regardless of how peace talks conclude, Europe will continue to face a hostile neighbour to the east.

"Whatever will be the outcome of possible future peace negotiations, we will still have an aggressive Russia bordering Europe, so we need Ukraine as a bulwark against that aggressive Russia," he explained.

"That's why I think we should include Ukraine in a new European security architecture, and by that, we can strengthen Nato."

The coalition, which includes Kyiv among its 35 members, was originally established to deploy forces protecting Ukraine following any ceasefire agreement.

Mr Rasmussen was dismissive of alternative defence arrangements being discussed within the European Union, including the bloc's own mutual defence provision.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

Rachel Reeves car tax raid sees hybrid drivers hit twice despite 'barely using electric'

Serial fraudster jailed for 10 years after taking more than £218,000 from victims

Man admits racially aggravated assault after accusing Jewish man of ‘killing babies’ in ‘pure hate crime’

He characterised Article 42.7 of the Lisbon Treaty as "weaker than Article Five," noting that Brussels lacks the military capacity to enforce it.

"The European Union, as such, does not have the military capabilities needed to actually implement 42.7," he said told the Telegraph.

The former Nato chief also took aim at proposals from Andrius Kubilius, the EU's defence commissioner, for a European security council, describing them as "fluffy".

"We are speaking about the hard defence of Europe. So we need a group of countries in Europe that are capable and willing to do what is needed," Mr Rasmussen continued.

He emphasised the need for immediate action rather than lengthy institutional discussions.

Mr Rasmussen advocated for a transactional approach with Washington, suggesting Europe could offer assistance with President Trump's military operations in Iran in return for continued American commitment to the continent.

"We're in this together.

"We are willing to help you, provided that you will stay engaged in Europe, including supporting Ukraine, and we don't understand why you are imposing tariffs on your allies. Ideally, they should be taken off the table," he said.

"This is a transactional approach, exactly the approach President Trump would use. Something for something we will help you, if you will help us.

"That's how allies work together," he concluded.

The former Nato chief stressed that any new European defence structure should complement rather than supplant the Atlantic alliance, with America retaining overall command to preserve its nuclear guarantee over the continent.