On March 6, 2025, the AmerikaHaus NRW and the German Atlantic Association hosted an evening event titled “The Military Requirements of European Security: Burden-Sharing in Principle and Practice.” After a brief opening statement, Deputy Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Lieutenant General Andrew M. Rohling, engaged in a discussion with the audience which was moderated by General (Ret.) Egon Ramms, Spokesman for Forum Bonn at the German Atlantic Association.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine and potential funding reductions under the Trump administration, it became evident that European security remained a paramount concern. During his keynote address, Lieutenant General Rohling underscored that ensuring European security necessitated a concerted effort from all 32 NATO member states, with teamwork and shared commitment as key pillars. He emphasized that the ongoing war reinforced the urgency of enhancing NATO’s readiness to act in a feasible, effective, and efficient manner.

The audience actively engaged in the discussion, demonstrating keen interest in a wide range of issues. Topics ranged from the necessity of military drafts in European nations and strategies to boost recruitment for the armed forces to technical inquiries about the HIMARS system. The standardization of weapons and the role of artificial intelligence in modern warfare were also topics of interest. A particularly pressing question raised was whether NATO and the EU could continue to rely on the United States as a committed partner in countering Russia’s war of aggression and how to interpret U.S.-led peace negotiations.

The active engagement of the audience underscored the gravity of the issue and highlighted the ongoing need for commitment, collaboration, and strategic planning to safeguard the long-term security of Europe. The participants highly valued the opportunity to engage with such high-ranking officials. In closing, Lieutenant General Rohling again emphasized the importance of civil-military cooperation, stating, “Our ability to share will be our collective strength.”

We extend our sincere gratitude to Lieutenant General Rohling, General Ramms, and all attendees for their valuable contributions to this insightful discussion. Many thanks also to the German Atlantic Association for their cooperation and the State Government of North-Rhine Westphalia for kindly supporting this event.