Likely next German Chancellor "Europe needs to achieve independence from the USA"

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“It should be a priority to strengthen Europe as fast as possible so that we gradually achieve independence from the U.S.” Friedrich Merz, the victor of the election and Germany’s likely next chancellor, said on Sunday. “It’s clear that the Americans, at least this American administration, are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe.”

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Merz has a lot of work to do to get Germany and the EU back on track. However, I must say that it is about damn nice to hear the leader of Germany realize that they have to defend themselves. The EU's main threat comes from Russia. Russia would struggle with Poland but would could conquer the other countries with ease in a conventional war if the European countries acted independently. However if they act together then they should be to whip Russia with ease in a conventional war. Russia is a large country in size but it only has a population of 150 million. The EU has a population of 450 million. The UK and Ukraine who are not EU members at the moment but would likely side with the EU in a war with Russia brings in another 99 million people. If you add in the UK and Ukraine military to the collective military power of the EU then ground forces and naval forces are also in the EU's favor. If the Europeans would pull their heads out of their arses then the EU + the UK + Ukraine should only need to the USAF and missile defense forces to defend Europe. If Europe gets serious about defense then 10-15 years should be enough time for the EU to build up its air forces and learn how to operate and purchase enough American and Israeli missile defense systems to protect themselves. I do not think that Trump and his successor which is hopefully Vance, DeSantis, or Rubio should tell Europe that they have 10 years to get their shite together before we withdraw our forces from Europe. If they get their shite together we are still pulling out forces out but we will stay in NATO and help defend them but if they do not then we are pulling our forces out and leaving NATO in 10 years.