It is also opposed by Eurosceptic politicians in the EU, such as Ryszard Legutko.[1][3] NATO has been described as the "biggest obstacle" to a European army.[12] According to NATO officials, the alliance has discouraged independent European defence capabilities, both as an attempt to avoid duplication and as a moral hazard effect from US defence subsidies prompting less military spending by European countries. The United States ambassador to NATO also expressed opposition to any European protectionism in developing its own defence industry. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the European Union could not defend itself without NATO and should not try to form a European army.[12]