GLOBSEC Survey Reveals Strong European Public Support for European Army Amidst Distrust of U.S.
A new GLOBSEC Trends 2026 survey indicates that 71% of Europeans in surveyed EU countries support the creation of a European army. This support is particularly high in Romania (82%), Lithuania (78%), and France (75%), and also significant in Poland, Bulgaria, and Germany. The survey, conducted in May 2026 with HarrisX, covers 14 countries, including Central and Eastern Europe, France, Germany, Britain, and the United States. Despite this desire for independent defense capabilities, 78% of citizens in European NATO member countries still wish for their country to remain in NATO, viewing a European army as a complement rather than an alternative to the transatlantic alliance. The findings also highlight a noticeable shift in the perception of the United States, with 35% of Europeans now viewing it as a threat to their country's security, and only 54% considering it a reliable partner. Germany stands out as the only country where a majority sees the U.S. as a threat to national security.
