Yes it'd be the same. So either your country become strong and handle your own affair, at a cost acceptable to your population, or you align with country(ies) w

Yes it'd be the same. So either your country become strong and handle your own affair, at a cost acceptable to your population, or you align with country(ies) with that capability that share your interest and belief, such as EU. But depending on your adversaries puts you on a very shaky ground.