Ex-Nato Chief Says ‘Battle-Hardened’ Ukraine Should Anchor European Defence Coalition

What happened

The Guardian reports that Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former Nato secretary general and adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has proposed a new European defence coalition including Ukraine. He describes Ukraine as "militarily the strongest nation in Europe" and "battle-hardened," urging integration of Ukraine into Europe’s security architecture to bolster defence against Russia.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Rasmussen's proposal envisions a "coalition of the willing" led by France and the UK, Europe’s two nuclear powers, designed as an insurance force to step in if the US withdraws troops unexpectedly. This coalition would cover 45 states and aims to provide reassurance and support for Ukrainian security and wider European defence.

This initiative comes ahead of a meeting of five top European defence powers in Berlin to develop a unified defence strategy ahead of the Nato summit in Ankara on 7 July. The summit plans to reveal a new €70bn (£60bn) funding target for Ukraine over two years and pressure European countries to increase defence spending to a minimum of 5% GDP by 2035.

Known from the source

• Anders Fogh Rasmussen is a former Nato secretary general and adviser to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
• Rasmussen stated Ukraine is "militarily the strongest nation in Europe" and "battle-hardened."
• He proposed a European coalition including Ukraine to defend Europe in case of a US troop withdrawal.
• The coalition would be led by France and the UK and include up to 45 states.
• A meeting of five leading European defence powers in Berlin was scheduled ahead of a Nato summit in Ankara on 7 July.

What remains unclear

Rasmussen highlights that while Ukraine originally is seen as a recipient of support, it has evolved into a key military asset for Europe’s defence. He stresses that the post-Trump US approach to European security requires Europe to take more responsibility independently, as the US’s position has altered permanently with no expectation of a return to the previous status quo.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verify Ukraine’s designation as 'militarily the strongest nation in Europe' and what metrics support this claim. Confirm the planned composition, leadership, and mandate of the proposed European coalition of 45 states. Confirm details and outcomes of the 5-power Berlin meeting and Nato summit in Ankara.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: The Guardian Ukraine. Open the source.