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https://voennoedelo.com/en/posts/id12412-ishchenko-europe-can-t-build-an-army-without-us-or-russia

Ishchenko: Europe Can’t Build an Army Without US or Russia

Ishchenko Says a «European Army» Works Only With US or Russia

Ishchenko: Europe Can’t Build an Army Without US or Russia

Rostislav Ishchenko says Europe cannot defend itself alone and a NATO-like bloc is possible only with the US or Russia, as Europe lacks key NATO structures.

2026-01-22T09:42:02+03:00

2026-01-22T09:42:02+03:00

2026-01-22T09:42:02+03:00

Political scientist Rostislav Ishchenko commented on the idea of creating a single European army without US participation. He said a new military bloc in Europe, similar to NATO, is possible, but only in two cases: if the new organization includes either the United States or Russia. According to Ishchenko, Europe cannot defend itself, and has «signed under that» ten times over. He argued that if Europe agrees to create such a bloc together with Russia, it would become a new alliance, while if Europe reaches an agreement with the United States, the old structure — NATO — could continue to exist. Ishchenko said Europe’s problem is that it cannot reach an agreement with either Moscow or Washington. In his view, Europe on its own is not NATO, and the condition of European armies does not allow them to become combat-ready in the near future and defend their states' interests. He also said intelligence, logistics, and staff work inside NATO are controlled by the United States, while Europe has no comparable structures of its own. He concluded that if Europe wants the ability to conduct military operations, it has only two options: either not oppose the United States and give Donald Trump everything he wants, or collectively go to Moscow, apologize, and ask for protection from the United States, which, he claimed, «robs Europe at every step.» Ishchenko said Russia might agree to such a military structure, but called it risky. If Russia agreed, he argued, Europe would gain an argument against Washington.

Rostislav Ishchenko, European army, NATO alternative, Europe defense capability, US or Russia alliance, Moscow Washington, European armies weak, NATO logistics intelligence, Donald Trump demands, new military bloc

2026

John Baker

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Ishchenko Says a «European Army» Works Only With US or Russia

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John Baker, Editor

12:42 22-01-2026

Rostislav Ishchenko says Europe cannot defend itself alone and a NATO-like bloc is possible only with the US or Russia, as Europe lacks key NATO structures.

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Political scientist Rostislav Ishchenko commented on the idea of creating a single European army without US participation.

He said a new military bloc in Europe, similar to NATO, is possible, but only in two cases: if the new organization includes either the United States or Russia.

According to Ishchenko, Europe cannot defend itself, and has «signed under that» ten times over. He argued that if Europe agrees to create such a bloc together with Russia, it would become a new alliance, while if Europe reaches an agreement with the United States, the old structure — NATO — could continue to exist.

Ishchenko said Europe’s problem is that it cannot reach an agreement with either Moscow or Washington. In his view, Europe on its own is not NATO, and the condition of European armies does not allow them to become combat-ready in the near future and defend their states' interests. He also said intelligence, logistics, and staff work inside NATO are controlled by the United States, while Europe has no comparable structures of its own.

He concluded that if Europe wants the ability to conduct military operations, it has only two options: either not oppose the United States and give Donald Trump everything he wants, or collectively go to Moscow, apologize, and ask for protection from the United States, which, he claimed, «robs Europe at every step.» Ishchenko said Russia might agree to such a military structure, but called it risky. If Russia agreed, he argued, Europe would gain an argument against Washington.