- Brexit third-country status blocks EU defense programs.
- Negotiations fail over billions in entry fees.
- EU caps UK contributions at 35% value.
That is the startling result of a survey conducted to find out how the people felt about the significant shifts in US foreign policy under Mr. Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin's growing animosity toward Europe, especially Britain.
According to the JL Partners survey, 55% of British voters want a new UK/Europe defense alliance, one that does not include the United States to counter Putin's threat, while only 11% are against it.
A historic change in defense strategy with significant diplomatic ramifications would result from such a decision.
NATO, which was established by the US and European countries in 1949 in the wake of World War II, is currently responsible for defending Britain and Europe against the prospect of attack.
An attack on any member of NATO is considered an attack on all, according to Article 5. In reality, that commitment is supported by the enormous military might of its largest member, the United States.
However, since President Trump's reelection last year and his position on the Russia-Ukraine crisis, America's own commitment to NATO has come under scrutiny.
Mr. Trump has regularly criticized European nations for not investing enough in defense, referred to them as "weak," and even threatened to break his NATO pledge to support them if they are attacked.
Furthermore, some have accused Mr. Trump is supporting Russia in its conflict with Ukraine rather than Europe.
In the case of a ceasefire, he has pledged to provide Ukraine with NATO-style "Article 5-like" protection from additional Russian strikes, but his unwillingness to go farther has caused some to doubt its worth.
In actuality, NATO's Composition 5 was only actuated to defend the United States following the 20019/11 attacks.
Several prominent European personalities have expressed concern about this situation in recent weeks.
Mark Rutte, the clerk general of NATO, advised its members to begin enhancing medications" for the scale of war our grandparents or great- grandparents endured."
Blaise Metreweli, the new head of MI6, reiterated his reflections and emphasized the mounting trouble posed by Russia.
Their reflections punctuate enterprises that Putin would launch a fresh assault on Europe, including the Baltic countries, after overrunning Ukraine.
Russia has engaged in cyberattacks, sabotage, and the use of fighter spurts and drones to breach European airspace.
To fight the Russian trouble in Norway and northern Europe, European nations formerly work together on defense- related matters through a variety of associations, including the Joint Expeditionary Force, which is led by the United Kingdom.
Additionally, European countries are currently spending more on defense.
However, they won't be able to defend themselves without the US for many years.
James Johnson, of JL Partners, said:
“The radical change in views on foreign policy from Donald Trump’s White House appears to have taken its toll on British voters.
Judging from our survey, voters have lost faith in the belief that if Britain or any of its European neighbours faces a real military threat, America will automatically come to its rescue.
They think Europe should take control of its own military protection to guarantee its safety.”
What are the legal hurdles for the UK joining EU defence programs now?
UK legal hurdles for joining EU defence programs stem primarily from Brexit- commanded third- country status, limiting participation in enterprises like PESCO, EDF, EDIRPA, and the €150bn SAFE fund without special agreements.
Accommodations collapsed in November 2025 over disputed entry freights( potentially billions of euros) demanded by the EU for UK enterprises to exceed the 35 value cap on design benefits, blocking full access to loans and backing rounds.
EU rules circumscribe third- country involvement to avoid reliance, IP leakage, or import control quit claims; member state interdictions (e.g., Spain blocking PESCO Military Mobility over Gibraltar) and conditions for EU- aligned tech transfer/ security of force add layers of complexity.