U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and former British foreign secretary David Miliband met in Singapore on Thursday to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and the need for Europe to assume a larger share of its own security. The two officials said the conflict has highlighted Europe’s reliance on U.S. military support and urged European capitals to step up defence spending and capability development.
The war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has forced NATO members to reassess collective defence commitments. Europe has traditionally depended on the United States for strategic deterrence, but recent budget shortfalls have sparked debate about a more balanced burden‑sharing arrangement.
Rubio called for a “clear, measurable increase” in European defence budgets, while Miliband stressed that a stronger European security posture would improve the alliance’s credibility and give Kyiv more reliable backing. Both referenced upcoming NATO discussions as a venue for concrete proposals.
Higher spending could strain national budgets, especially in countries still recovering from the pandemic, but supporters argue it would also stimulate domestic defence industries and reduce long‑term reliance on external aid.
The conversation signals that European leaders may face pressure to adopt new policies before the next NATO summit, where concrete targets for defence investment are expected to be debated.
Stakeholders include European governments, defence contractors, NATO allies, and Ukrainian civilians who depend on sustained military assistance.