What options are European leaders considering in response to security challenges with Russia and reduced U.S. support?

European leaders are exploring several strategic options as they face mounting security challenges. These range from dramatically increasing defense spending to reduce dependency on the United States, to providing direct security guarantees to Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. However, achieving consensus on these proposals remains difficult in a politically fragmented Europe. Each option faces significant resistance from various member states, with countries like Germany reportedly reluctant to commit troops. This highlights the fundamental challenge European nations face in formulating a unified security strategy while balancing diverse national interests and capabilities.