Feb. 24, 2022, was a defining moment in the history of European security. The shock of the Russian invasion of Ukraine that day united Europe behind a common cause despite the subsequent impacts on national economies, with inflation and energy prices skyrocketing.But there was also a realization that, for too long, Europe had dramatically underinvested in its defense capabilities-the peace dividend that paid for the expansion of public services has led to a loss in readiness, availability and, to some extent, credibility.For years, Russia had been seen not so much as a threat-even after its annexation of Crimea in 2014-but as a source of cheap energy."This is a moment of truth for Europe," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in the days after the invasion. "We cannot take our security and the protection of people for granted. We have to stand up for it. We have to invest in it. We have to carry our fair share of the responsibility."
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