Europe is reeling from the sudden collapse in American support for Ukraine, with leaders struggling to come together behind a unified front. The shocking turn of events has left many in the continent blindsided and questioning how this could have happened so fast.
President Donald Trump’s fierce criticism of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has sparked widespread condemnation from European leaders, who are now facing an uncertain future without a clear plan to support Ukraine. The US administration’s priorities have shifted towards its own borders and the Indo-Pacific region, leaving Europe feeling adrift in its aims.
European politicians are working through their grief, but key capitals remain divided on how to proceed. A peacekeeping force, increased defense spending, and new military aid have all been proposed, but none of these efforts have gained traction so far. The lack of unity among European leaders is a stark contrast to the US and Russia’s sudden rapprochement, which has thrown Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty into chaos.
Experts say that a unified leader could be key in bringing Europe together behind a common goal. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to visit Washington next week, where they will pitch their plans for supporting Ukraine. However, the challenges ahead are significant, including the thorny issue of how to push back on Trump’s sudden shift towards Russia.
The situation is further complicated by Germany’s reluctance to increase its defense spending, with the incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz facing pressure from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to do more. A painful split is emerging between larger nations like Britain and France, which are eager to take action, and smaller countries like Poland, which are hesitant.
With Ukraine facing an uncertain future without American support, Europe will need to fill a significant gap in military aid. Western officials have warned that losing American contributions would be a major blow, with the quality of supplies being significantly lower than what is currently being provided by European countries.
As Europe navigates this complex and painful crisis, leaders are being forced to confront the reality that the US is walking away from 70 years of cooperation. The future of NATO and the alliance’s ability to stand up to Russia remain uncertain, but one thing is clear: Europe must come together to support Ukraine if it hopes to have any hope of defeating Putin’s regime.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/20/europe/ukraine-europe-trump-leadership-starmer-macron-cmd-intl/index.html