By Zhang Dan

张丹

Recently, whether at the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defense or at the 60th Munich Security Conference, European countries have shown strong security anxiety. And these anxieties are closely related to the US.

近期，无论是在北约成员国国防部长会议上还是在第60届慕尼黑安全会议上，欧洲国家普遍表现出强烈的安全焦虑。而这些焦虑很大程度上与美国脱不了干系。

In the long term, frequent pressure from the US on defense spending is a major cause of security anxiety in European countries. In recent years, the US has repeatedly urged NATO allies to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP. However, data shows that only 11 out of NATO's 31 members met this target by 2023. Among them, major European countries such as Germany, France, Spain and Italy have not met the requirements. This naturally leads to dissatisfaction in the US. Former US President Donald Trump recently publicly threatened at a campaign rally that he would allow Russia to do whatever it wants to NATO member nations that are "delinquent" in devoting 2% of their gross domestic product to defense.

从长期来看，美国就国防开支问题频频施压是引发欧洲国家安全焦虑的重要原因。近年来，美国多次要求北约盟国将国防开支增加到国内生产总值2%。然而，数据显示，2023年，北约31个成员国里只有11个达到这一目标。其中，德国、法国、西班牙、意大利等欧洲主要国家均未达标。这自然引发美国不满，美国前总统特朗普日前在一场竞选集会上公开威胁，对于未履行军费义务的北约盟国，他将“鼓动”俄罗斯予以攻击。

Amidst Europe's current stagnation, the US foreign exports of military equipment reached an all-time high of USD 238 billion in FY2023, showing a 16% increase compared to FY2022. If European countries conform to the US demand for an increase in their military spending, the US military-industrial complex will undoubtedly continue to benefit from them. European countries are neither willing to sacrifice their economic and financial resources for others, nor can they free themselves from their dependence on the US for security. The possibility of Trump's re-election has become a looming threat for European countries.

当前，欧洲正深陷发展停滞的泥潭，而美国2023财年对外出口军事装备金额却上升到创纪录的2380亿美元，相较2022财年增长16%。如若欧洲国家按美国要求增加军费，美国军工复合体无疑将持续从中获益。欧洲国家既不愿牺牲自身的经济与财政资源为他国作嫁衣，又无法摆脱对美国的安全依赖。特朗普再次当选的可能性已然成为悬于欧洲国家头顶的一柄“达摩克利斯之剑”。

In the short term, European security concerns are related to the pressure of military assistance to Ukraine. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has lasted for over two years, and European countries, burdened by aid to Ukraine, are increasingly displaying signs of being overwhelmed. From the  protests by farmers in numerous countries to Slovakia's refusal to provide military assistance to Ukraine, opposition to Ukrainian aid is increasing in European society.

从短期来看，欧洲国家的安全焦虑与军援乌克兰的压力有关。俄乌冲突已持续两年多，深陷“援乌疲劳症”的欧洲国家正日益显现不堪重负的迹象。从多国农民“围城”抗议，到斯洛伐克拒绝向乌克兰提供军事援助，欧洲社会中反对援乌的声音正越来越多。

However, the "aid to Ukraine" shackles imposed by the US on Europe during the same period have become even heavier. On one hand, the US, unwilling to be deeply involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict with significant energy and resources, is attempting to push Europe to the forefront instead. On the other hand, the Biden administration's assistance bill for Ukraine has encountered obstacles in Congress, which could only be compensated for by coercing the allies to enhance their support. During the recent NATO defense ministers' meeting, it was at the request of the US that member states agreed to establish a UAV alliance and a mine-clearance alliance to support Ukraine. However, it remains uncertain whether this pledge could be fulfilled.

然而，同期美国对欧洲施加的“对乌援助”枷锁却更加沉重了。一方面，美国不希望继续被俄乌冲突牵扯大量精力和资源，正试图将欧洲推至援乌抗俄的前台；另一方面，拜登政府对乌克兰援助法案在国会遭遇阻碍，只能通过胁迫盟国加强支持力度来弥补。近日举行的北约防长会上，正是在美国的要求下，各成员国同意组建无人机联盟和扫雷联盟，向乌克兰提供支持。不过，这一承诺能否兑现尚属未知。

It is evident that, although Europe has the name of "alliance" with the US, what it gets is the status of "servant". Through spreading threats, exerting pressure to aid Ukraine, and hyping geopolitical security issues, the US has employed various means in an attempt to strengthen its control over Europe, maintain its hegemony, and exploit Europe to alleviate its pressure. As for Europe's growing security anxiety, it is not taken into consideration by the US.

不难看出，欧洲虽有美国“同盟”之名，所得的却是“仆从”地位。从散布威胁，到施压援助乌克兰，再到炒作地缘安全问题，美国种种手段尽出，无非是企图加强对欧洲的控制、维护自身霸权，顺带从欧洲榨出“油水”，缓解自己所面临的压力。至于欧洲与日俱增的安全焦虑则不在美国考量范围内。

In the face of the US tactic of manipulating its allies, European countries have never ceased in their pursuit of strategic autonomy. In mid-February, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Poland met at La Celle-Saint-Cloud, west of Paris, under the Weimar Triangle mechanism. France's Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne stated that Europe should enhance its security while maintaining NATO, to have "second 'life insurance'". The foreign ministers of Poland and Germany also expressed the same stance.

面对美国拿捏盟友的老把戏，欧洲国家从未停止寻求战略自主的脚步。2月中旬，法国、德国和波兰三国外长在巴黎以西的拉塞勒圣克卢堡举行“魏玛三角”机制会晤。法国外长塞茹尔内表示，欧洲要在维护北约的同时加强自身安全建设，以拥有北约之外的“第二份‘生命保险’”。波德两国外长也表达了相同的立场。

Strengthening European defense autonomy is of paramount importance for European NATO members, given the uncertain future of US security policy. Regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election, Europe should think independently on this issue.

对于北约欧洲成员国而言，在美国未来数年安全政策尚不明朗的情况下，加强欧洲防务自主才是重中之重。无论美国大选结果如何，欧洲都应该站在自身立场上思考问题。