Europe’s dilemma is that it needs to try and keep the United States on board while preparing for its departure. The best way forward is accelerated burden-shifting to build a more European NATO.

Germany has started to change course but it is not yet ready, mentally or militarily, to manage the threat that Russia is likely to pose to European security in the coming years.

The German approach to Russia, of pursuing positive interdependence and friendly engagement, is simply out of kilter with the Kremlin’s perception of Russia’s interests.