The war in Ukraine is likely to push European security policy in 2026 toward greater autonomy from the United States while exposing deep tensions over militarization and social priorities. Governments will continue increasing defense spending, but this will face growing pressure from the public to ensure funds are not diverted from welfare, climate action, and inequality reduction. There will be stronger emphasis on diplomacy, arms control, and conflict prevention alongside military preparedness, reflecting fatigue with endless escalation. At the same time, energy independence and protection of civilian infrastructure will be treated as core security issues, broadening the definition of security beyond tanks and missiles to include social and economic resilience.