European security

EU Defense Ministers Discuss Deeper Military Cooperation

European Union defense ministers on Tuesday discussed proposals for increased military cooperation while Britain and some Eastern European governments expressed concern that such collaboration could undermine the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and duplicate the alliance’s work.

The proposals debated by the ministers, who met in the Slovak capital Bratislava, are part of a push by European officials and diplomats to strengthen European ties after Britain’s vote in June to leave the EU.

Europe is also under pressure from the U.S. to step up its military spending. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump echoed those calls on Monday evening, as he pressed Europe to shoulder more of the burden of its own defense.