eastern europe has not been “ungrateful” and has stuck its neck out to help us in the WOT, in various ways, some not open to scrutiny
you confuse “france” and germany- old europe- as representing all of europe
I understand the distinction well, your point is taken, but frankly Europe, east or west, is still responsible for it’s own defence. When countries like Poland joined the EU, their defense became the province of the EU. If Europe isn’t up to the challenge, it’s Europe’s problem, and if Europe doesn’t see the particular security needs of it’s eastern member states as requiring missle defense, then why the hell should we insist upon it?