Belgian Defense Minister Says Europe Relied Too Long on Soft Power

Belgium's defense minister said Europe spent too much time relying on soft power rather than investing in its own defense capabilities, according to an interview with Euronews.

The minister argued that the continent's long-standing emphasis on diplomacy, trade, and institutional influence came at the expense of building up military capacity, a gap that has drawn increased attention since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 prompted many European governments to reassess their defense postures.

A Broader European Debate

Euronews' report did not provide the minister's full remarks or additional context on specific policy changes Belgium is pursuing as a result of this assessment. The comments echo a wider debate playing out across European capitals over how quickly and how far to increase defense spending, expand domestic arms production, and reduce reliance on the United States for security guarantees.

Several European Union and NATO members have announced increases to defense budgets in recent years, with some setting new spending targets as a share of gross domestic product. Belgium, like a number of smaller European states, has faced scrutiny over whether its defense investment has kept pace with the commitments it has made within NATO.

The interview did not specify whether the minister outlined concrete new spending commitments or timelines for closing the gap between Europe's soft-power orientation and its military capabilities. The remarks nonetheless reflect a continuing shift in tone among European officials toward prioritizing hard security investment.