Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defence – Ramstein 2026
Text: HDF Defence Staff | 12:16 February 3, 2026At their recent meeting in Ramstein, Germany, military leaders and experts of NATO member states assessed the current challenges of the European and Euro-Atlantic security environment as well as the joint strategic responses to be given to them.
The speakers of the European Strategy Conference and Workshops (ESCW) organized by the United States European Command (USEUCOM) included General Alexus G. Grynkewich, Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte outlined the current and future challenges to the Alliance before the participants, among them high-ranking Pentagon officials as well as military leaders of NATO member states and partner countries.
Hungary was represented at the forum by Chief of HDF Defence Staff Dr. Gábor Böröndi. In summing up the discussions, General Böröndi emphasized that the conference had made it clear that European allies must take greater responsibility for their own defence.
“Our host, General Grynkewich told us in no uncertain terms that Europe must get on its own feet in the field of defence, part of which is the implementation of decisions taken at the Hague Summit, including the 3.5 percent of GDP defence spending target” – said the Chief of Defence.
He added that participants of the two-day meeting received a comprehensive picture of the transforming European presence of U.S. forces, as well as of the strategic challenges faced by NATO.
The Ramstein conference also provided an opportunity for General Böröndi to hold a bilateral discussion with General Alexus G. Grynkewich. Speaking about the future of Hungarian–American military cooperation, the Chief of Defence said that he and General Grynkewich had agreed that the relations between the armed forces of the two countries should be further deepened.
“We have agreed to further strengthen our military cooperation and to continue with joint training programs and exercises, which strengthen the defence capabilities of both sides” – emphasized the Chief of the HDF Defence Staff.
The USEUCOM’s organizing the ESCW early in the year has already become a tradition. This event provides USEUCOM, the Pentagon, other U.S. government agencies and NATO allies with an opportunity to conduct strategic dialogue on security issues of the European theatre.
This year’s conference, too, aimed at giving a comprehensive picture of the European security situation and a guideline for the allies taking joint action.
High on the agenda of the meeting were the strengthening of transatlantic defence cooperation, innovation in military industry and the development of logistic and technological capabilities. Besides, the participants attended scientific-level lectures on the impacts of digitization and the transformation of European armed forces.
On the occasion of his visit to Ramstein, at a staff meeting, the Chief of the HDF Defence Staff met Hungarian airmen serving at NATO Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) and informed them about the current changes and directions of developments in the Hungarian Defence Forces. General Dr. Gábor Böröndi thanked the personnel for their high-level and committed activity in the framework of the Alliance, underscoring the importance of their sharing the knowledge and lessons learned during their international service with the Hungarian personnel at home, in the interest of the development of the Hungarian Defence Forces.
