An alternative plan that would allow Europe to defend itself using existing NATO military structures, in the event of a US withdrawal, is gaining ground after securing Germany’s support, the Wall Street Journal reports, amid growing concerns over the alliance’s future.

According to the report, officials working on these plans—sometimes referred to as a “European NATO”—aim to place more Europeans in NATO command and control positions and to supplement US military capabilities with European ones.

These plans, which have been discussed informally through side meetings and dinners around NATO circles, are not intended to compete with the existing alliance. Instead, European officials aim to maintain deterrence against Russia, operational continuity, and nuclear credibility even if Washington withdraws forces from Europe or refuses to defend it, as Trump has previously threatened.

The plans first emerged last year, reflecting deep European concern about US reliability as a security partner. They gained momentum after Trump threatened to take Greenland from NATO ally Denmark and have taken on new significance amid disputes over Europe’s refusal to support US military actions in Iran, the WSJ notes.

Germany’s decisive shift

According to the American newspaper, Germany’s political shift has been crucial. For decades, Berlin resisted French calls for greater European defense autonomy, preferring to rely on the US as the main security guarantor. This is now changing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, due to concerns about US reliability during Trump’s presidency.

Germany’s shift has opened the door to broader cooperation with countries such as the UK, France, Poland, the Nordic states, and Canada, which are now considering the plan as a “coalition of the willing” within NATO.

“The challenge is enormous. The entire NATO structure is based on US leadership at almost every level—from logistics and intelligence to the alliance’s top military command,” officials said. Europeans are now trying to take on more of these responsibilities, something Trump has long demanded. NATO, they say, will become “more European-led,” according to Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The difference now is that Europeans are acting on their own initiative due to growing hostility from Trump, rather than under US pressure. In recent days, Trump has called European allies “cowards” and NATO a “paper tiger,” adding that “Putin knows it too.”

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that the shift of responsibilities from the US to Europe is already underway and will continue as part of US defense strategy. He stressed the importance of managing the transition in an orderly way rather than facing a sudden US withdrawal.

Challenges ahead

Officials note that reinstating compulsory military service is a key factor for the success of the plan, as many countries abolished it after the Cold War.

At the same time, Europe is seeking to strengthen its own defense production in areas where it lags behind the US, such as anti-submarine warfare, space capabilities, aerial refueling, and air transport.

However, implementation is difficult because NATO’s top military command has always been American, and no European country currently has the standing to fully replace the US, especially due to America’s nuclear “umbrella.” Despite growing European responsibility, major gaps remain—particularly in intelligence and nuclear deterrence.

Germany’s shift has also reopened discussion on the most sensitive issue: replacing US nuclear protection, possibly by expanding France’s nuclear deterrent to other European countries.