The October 2026 European Council meeting highlighted mounting anxieties regarding the reliability of American support for Ukraine. Concerns stem from a U.S.-Russia diesel agreement, viewed as a move to stabilize fuel prices ahead of midterm elections, and restrictions on Starlink services that have disrupted Ukrainian military capabilities. President Donald Trump's vocal dissatisfaction with Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries further underscores a shift in Washington's priorities. While European leaders continue to pledge support, they are increasingly aware of their profound reliance on American intelligence and logistics. Efforts to achieve strategic autonomy—such as pooling resources or leveraging frozen Russian assets—are underway but are currently unable to replace U.S. capabilities. This situation threatens the credibility of NATO’s collective deterrence and forces European nations to confront a long-avoided reality: the urgent need to define their own path toward security in an era where Washington’s unwavering commitment is no longer guaranteed.