The EU should have its own army, the prime minister of Luxembourg has said, amid fears Donald Trump will withdraw US security for Europe if he returns to the White House.

The first steps towards a common military could be taken by a “coalition of the willing” among member states, Luc Frieden said in a speech in Poland.

“We need to discuss the need for a European army. One that is fully integrated and interoperable with Nato and a strong and indispensable partner to our North American allies,” he said on Monday night, on the eve of the knife-edge US presidential election.

“Russia’s unacceptable invasion of Ukraine has been a wake-up call,” the leader of one of the EU’s founding members added.

“We need institutions that encourage dialogue and democracy. And they need to be backed by an ability to defend our principles. That is true in Ukraine, that is true elsewhere.”

Mr Frieden’s intervention came as Europe, which is dependent on the US for its security, braces for a possible second Trump presidency.

European leaders are concerned that the Republican could pull out of Nato if he feels alliance members are not spending enough on defence.

They are also anxious he could cut off weapons and aid to Kyiv – and potentially force Ukraine, a candidate country to join the EU, to negotiate an unjust peace deal with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.

In contrast, a Kamala Harris victory would be seen as a continuance of the status quo.