Europe must be able to defend itself without Uncle Sam’s sword and shield. Ukraine can help – but the groundwork must begin now. The author is a defence expert, a member of the Slovak National Council and deputy chairman of Progressive Slovakia. This article was originally published in Slovak by Denník N.Nobody came to blows and nobody quarrelled much during the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara. The allies announced the continuation of aid to Ukraine, an increase in budgets and strengthening of European forces so that NATO can cope with the reduction of American personnel and equipment in Europe.