Brussels: EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has called on European countries to enhance their defense capabilities and lessen their dependence on the United States, as transatlantic relations face uncertainty with the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the US presidency for a second consecutive term. Borrell's remarks came ahead of a meeting of the EU Defense Council in Brussels, where he highlighted the need for Europe to maintain its military support for Ukraine as the conflict with Russia reaches its 1,000th day. According to Anadolu Agency, Borrell acknowledged the Biden administration's support for Ukraine, particularly the authorization of long-range weapons to enable strikes within Russian territories. However, he stressed that Europe should not rely solely on US leadership. He warned that Europeans "cannot sit and wait to see what Trump decides," urging them to take proactive measures to secure their defense interests. During Trump's previous term from 2017 to 2021, he strained relationsh ips with NATO by questioning the alliance's relevance and criticizing allies for insufficient defense spending. Although President Biden has reaffirmed US commitments to NATO and Ukraine, Borrell cautioned that Europe must brace for potential changes in US foreign policy, especially with the Trump administration potentially returning to power. Borrell highlighted the progress made during his leadership, such as establishing the European Peace Facility and adopting the Strategic Compass, which outlines the EU's defense strategy. He emphasized that Europe cannot remain just a "factory" for NATO arms production and must develop its strategic capabilities to address future threats. He urged European nations to boost their defense budgets in light of geopolitical stakes, noting a 30% increase in EU military spending since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.