The European Union is preparing to test Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty - the provision that obliges all 27 members to provide mutual aid in case of attack. The reason is obvious: growing uncertainty about whether America under Trump will defend European allies at all.

At the Cyprus summit, leaders will develop operational plans for better use of EU military, security, trade and other resources in crisis situations.

Simulations without soldiers

By mid-May, EU ambassadors will participate in simulation exercises for the application of Article 42.7. Defense ministers will conduct similar tests a few weeks later. The exercises focus on political decision-making - they do not involve military personnel on the ground.

Article 42.7 has been activated only once - when France requested assistance after the terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015, which killed over 130 people. For comparison, NATO's Article 5 has also been activated only once - after September 11.

Cyprus President Christodoulides was candid: "We do not know what would happen if a member state activated that article. There is a whole palette of problems."

Unlike NATO, the EU has a broader arsenal - from military force to sanctions, border control, trade and visa policy. But is that enough without America behind it? Europe is finally asking the question - even if the answer may not be to its liking.