German soldiers spent decades asking ‘why isn’t it like the U.S. here?’ – Donald Trump’s Ukraine betrayal is finally changing that

Germany is building the biggest military force in Europe since World War II. The country has gone from spending just 1.1% of its economy on defense in 2005 to becoming the world’s fourth-largest military spender at $88.5 billion in 2024. This change comes as German leaders worry about Russia‘s war in Ukraine and America’s commitment to NATO under President Donald Trump.

For decades, German soldiers felt frustrated about their country’s military culture. Unlike American troops who receive public thanks for their service, German soldiers rarely got recognition. The country’s dark history with the military during Nazi rule made many Germans uncomfortable with showing support for their armed forces. This created a culture where military service was not celebrated.