Starmer tells Dublin event Europe can no longer rely on US to 'bankroll' its defence

Europe faces the loss of U.S. defence financing, a shift that could widen NATO’s capability gap and reshape security responsibilities for member states, while the United Kingdom stands to gain influence by tightening ties with the continent. Without that backing, European forces could confront capability shortfalls, prompting a re‑evaluation of collective defence commitments.

Speaking at a Dublin gathering, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told attendees that Europe can no longer rely on the United States to bankroll its defence, framing the change as a permanent departure from the Trump‑era dynamic. He warned that NATO’s defence gap is dangerous and called for Europe to “wake up” to the new reality. He described the gap as dangerous and urged immediate action, noting that reliance on U.S. funding has become untenable.

The remarks were reported by the BBC, The Guardian, London Business News, NewsCord and Yahoo, signalling that European capitals may need to accelerate joint funding mechanisms, while UK defence policy could pivot toward deeper collaboration with EU partners. Observers will monitor forthcoming EU budget proposals and bilateral talks for concrete steps to fill the funding shortfall. The coverage notes that policymakers in Brussels and London are expected to convene in the coming weeks to explore shared financing models, and that NATO allies will watch the response for signs of shifting alliance dynamics.