WATCH: Pentagon holds press conference as US allies react to Trump victory

Around 50 European leaders called for a stronger defense posture across the continent that no longer requires fundamental dependence on Washington on Thursday, as they gave a cautious welcome to US President-elect Donald Trump.

Watch Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh’s remarks in the player above.

Thursday’s European Political Community summit in the Hungarian capital Budapest reassessed transatlantic ties in hopes that Trump’s second U.S. presidency will avoid the turmoil of his first administration.

“He was elected by the American people. He will defend American interests,” French President Emmanuel Macron told other leaders, adding that it was not the job of European Union leaders to “comment on the election… to ask whether she is good or not.”

“The question is whether we are ready to defend European interests. It’s the only question. “That is our priority,” said Macron.

There are also concerns that the robust military aid Ukraine received under President Joe Biden will be cut under Trump, particularly if Republicans take control of the House of Representatives.