European leaders have dealt with the return of President Trump, trying to maintain a cooperating Ukraine while pressing to increase his own expense in defense, so they are less trusted in an increasingly heavy America.
But Friday’s meeting at Oval Office, in which Mr. Trump President Berated Volodymyr Zelensky of UkraineUnderlined for European leaders who could need to present more concrete and rapid plans.
Following the warm exchange, a visibly annoying Trump Mr. Trump canceled a press conference with the Ukrainian leader and Posted on social media That Mr. Zelensky was « not prepared for peace » as long as he has North -American support.
Its anger-and its threat that the United States could stop supporting Ukraine if it did not accept any peace agreement that the United States suffered, was only the last sign that Mr. Trump pivoted American foreign policy far from the traditional allies of Europe and to Russia.
« The White House scene yesterday breathed me, » Germany President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told DPA, a German news agency on Saturday. « I would never have believed that we should never defend U.S. Ukraine. »
The strong change of the North -American Strategy has left the leaders of the continent. Many are concerned that if the war ends with a weak agreement for Ukraine, Russia would be in charge, turning it into a greater threat to the rest of Europe. And the tone change makes self -sufficiency more urgent than ever, even if European leaders face the same puzzling challenges as before.
Would Toss for years to build The weapons systems and the capabilities that Europe would need to be truly militarily independent. And supporting Ukraine while building homemade defenses could take the rapid type of action and the political will that the European Union often struggles to achieve.
« Everything is based on Europe today: the question is, how do they go a step? » Alexandra of Hoop Scheffer, acting president of the German Marshall Fund. « They have no alternative. »
European leaders had already debated how they could help guarantee security in Ukraine if a peace agreement occurred, what terms would be acceptable and what they could give to Ukraine in their next aid package.
In fact, the highest officials are ready to meet this week to discuss the defense, first in London on Sunday in a meeting organized by Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, then in Brussels on Thursday at a special European Council summit, which brings together EU leaders.
Representatives from the 27 member countries met on Friday afternoon to present a draft of ideas for the meeting in Brussels. The plan included calls to strengthen EU defenses faster than expected before and to more clearly define the possible security guarantees for Ukraine, according to an EU official informed on this subject.
And this was before the Friday’s exchange between Mr. Trump and Mr. Zelensky.
The sinking promoted an immediate departure from the public support to Ukraine of many European officials.
« You will never be alone, dear president, » wrote Ursula von der Leyen, the EU’s executive arm president on Friday night, in Ukrainian in X, on Friday night, In a joint post With other European leaders.
He also requested calls for rapid actions, with some European diplomats and leaders hoping that even countries that have been reluctant to increase defense spending and support for Ukraine will be on board with a more ambitious approach.
« A powerful Europe, we need it more than ever, » President Emmanuel Macron in France published on social media. « The rise is now. »
Kaja Kallas, the highest diplomat in the EU, was even more emphatic.
« We will increase our support for Ukraine, » he wrote on social media on Friday night. « Today, it has been clear that the free world needs a new leader. It is up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge. « »
However, for all pronouncements of protection, accelerating the European transition to greater autonomy in defense will not be an easy task.
For starters, it is likely that a larger part of the financial burden to help Ukraine be expensive. The United States has spent only about $ 114 million on military, financial and humanitarian aid for Ukraine for the past three years, according to a frequently used used trawlcompared to $ 132 million in Europe.
In addition, when it comes to European defense more widely, America provides critical weapons systems and other military teams that would be almost impossible to replace rapidly.
« We still need the United States, » said Jeromin Zettelmeyer, director of the Brussels -based research group, Bruegel.
EU Nations have been increasing His military expenses in recent years, spending 30 percent more last year than in 2021. But some NATO countries are even less than the goal of the spending of 2 percent or more of their gross domestic product in defense.
Part of the problem is that spending more on defense means spending less on other priorities, such as health care and social services. And considering the economic challenges and budget limitations in Germany, France and smaller economies such as Belgium, finding a political will to reduce expenses has been a challenge.
Still, European leaders are trying to find ways to do Have the rules of deficit throughout the block more flexible To enable more military investments.
When it comes to finding more money to support Ukraine, Europeans do not speak in one voice.
European officials had already discussed a future help package for Ukraine, which could total tens of billions of euros. On Friday night, countries that have been pushing for more ambitious sums hoped that the tone of Mr. Trump during the Zelensky meeting would help produce European delays to open their pocket bookstores, according to a family diplomat with discussions.
But Hungary is expected to oppose the new Ukraine aid package, which could force the EU to an effort that requires time for the collection contributions of Member States, instead of passing a package at the blog level, as it would require unanimity.
In a clear sign of the disunion, Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary, separated from many other European leaders, thanking Mr. Trump for his exchange with Mr. Zelensky. Wrote On social media That the North -American leader « remained brave for peace », even if « it was difficult for many to digest. »
European officials have also been considered if, when and how to put European peace maintenance forces on the ground in Ukraine if an agreement is reached to stop the war. Great Britain has expressed his will to send troops to Ukraine, as he has done France. Discussions are expected to continue this week.
But in the light of Friday’s exchange, some say the time for slow deliberation may have ended. While officials had just discussed what security guarantees for Ukraine they might look, they may have to start thinking quickly about how to implement, Ms. By Hoop Scheffer in the German Marshall background.
« This is a time for Europe to do very seriously, » he said.
He added that the Oval Oval stroke had emphasized that European officials will have to present their best mediators to try to keep the United States on board, as far as possible.
Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, is considered one of the leaders closest to Mr. Trump in Europe. He said in a statement on Friday night that he would try to promote a meeting among all the Allies.
« We need to have an immediate summit between the United States, European states and allies to talk about how we intend to face the great challenges of today, » he said. « Starting with Ukraine. »
And early last week, The two Mr. Starl and Mr. Macron traveled in Washington to meet with Mr. Trump, meetings that seemed to be considerably better than meeting with Mr. Zelensky even if they did not get To achieve important goals How to get a U.S. security fund for peace maintenance troops.
In fact, Mr. Starmer’s plans to expose European leaders on their journey during the Sunday summit emphasize a side effect of change in the tone of America: European Union countries and Britain are approaching as they develop defense plans.
This puts Mr. Starmer in a position to play more leadership in the United States, as Germany works to make a new government and the French struggle with domestic political challenges.
But as Europe is increasingly recognizing that the United States is « super reliable », as Mr. Zettelmeyer said to Bruegel, it may be that the time of Mr. Trump’s preparation and waiting for continuity in relationships.
« We have had several of these shocking moments; every time there is a shocking moment, there is a lot of hand, » he said. « The really interesting question is: This time will it be different? »
Emma Bubola Contributed reports.
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