Two countries in Europe have nuclear weapons (several have nuclear power though). Sweden for example had a nuclear weapons program that was shut down in the late 60s (guess which country strongly wanted us to shut it down).

I think most European countries cut down too much on the defence after the Cold War, but it seems we are about to fix that. But it’s not like the US gave away fighter jets and other weapon systems for free. Several European countries spent lots of money buying US planes and other stuff.

France and the UK have it despite the US not wanting it too.

Luckily!

> And Europe has an obligation to spend on its own defense

Yes, since the US wants to pivot to Asia. That's fairly recent on the timescale :)

> which they have not fulfilled in some time

Did you know the US, unlike the others, includes pensions as "military spending"? But yeah, now ... They will raise it to the required 2 % (which a lot already do)