The Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) has published a report indicating that Europe could achieve military independence from the United States in most areas by the mid-2030s. The process would cost approximately 500 billion euros. If Europe is to be treated as a single political entity, its defence spending ranks second in the world . The authors of the report noted, however, that the region remains dependent on the United States in key areas of military operations. The current