EU security push exposes rifts with NATO and among member states over Russia response

European governments are searching for a more coordinated response to Russia, but disagreement persists over which institution — the EU or NATO — should take the lead role in security decision-making.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed creating a European Security Council, citing actions taken by both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. She said the initiative has become even more urgent given the nature and scale of the risks currently at play. Separately, the EU has put forward proposals that would grant it greater crisis decision-making powers and the ability to convene emergency talks. Critics warn these proposals risk overlapping with NATO's existing mission, raising the possibility of institutional friction between the two organizations.

At the same time, skepticism toward NATO itself has surfaced from within the alliance. Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico has cast doubt on the validity of NATO's mutual defense clause. He has long argued that the Western approach to Russia, combined with continued support for Ukraine, increases the risk of a broader war rather than reducing it.

The tension between rhetoric and action is also evident in Europe's response to escalating Russian attacks. While European nations have used strong language to condemn the Kremlin, concrete steps have been slow to materialize. According to a senior NATO diplomat, the prevailing approach for now can be summed up as 'keep calm and carry on' rather than pursuing decisive countermeasures. This gap between forceful public statements and cautious actual policy underscores the broader uncertainty currently shaping Europe's security debate, even as discussions continue over new structures meant to strengthen collective response capacity.