Europe is scrambling to react to a dramatic shift in US foreign policy, as President Trump blames Ukraine for its war with Russia and moves toward direct negotiations with Moscow. Trump’s recent comments that Ukraine “should have never started it” and should have struck a deal before the war have sent shockwaves through European capitals, highlighting divisions and uncertainty within the continent.
European leaders sidelined from US-Russia talks
The shift comes as US and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to outline negotiations over Ukraine, a move that has largely left European allies out of the process. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized these talks, arguing that any negotiations that exclude Kyiv are doomed to fail. Meanwhile, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, warned that Russia would try to divide Western allies and called for unity in response to the evolving situation.
Trump’s remarks, coupled with the exclusion of European officials from key discussions, underscore the extent to which the continent is struggling to assert itself in the crisis. Unlike previous moments of unity, such as the response to Russia’s 2022 invasion or the Covid-19 pandemic, Europe now appears fractured, with leaders failing to present a coordinated stance.
Political turmoil complicates Europe’s response
European leaders are further constrained by domestic political pressures. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz walked out of a Paris meeting convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, reflecting growing disagreements over how to handle the situation. Macron, attempting to rally European unity, is scheduled to meet other leaders to discuss next steps, but divisions persist.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken one of the strongest stances, proposing sending additional military support to Ukraine and engaging with the Trump administration to secure a European role in peace talks. Starmer, scheduled to meet with Trump next week, hopes to prevent the US from sidelining European allies entirely.
NATO and security concerns heighten tensions
Europe’s struggle to respond is exacerbated by its reliance on NATO for security, an alliance that has long depended on US leadership. Trump’s approach forces European nations to reconsider their defence strategies, with discussions emerging on potential deployments of European troops to Ukraine as part of a cease-fire arrangement.
Macron has previously suggested that European forces could be involved in securing a peace deal, an idea met with scepticism from other European leaders, including Scholz. The debate over military engagement adds another layer of complexity to an already tense geopolitical landscape.
The uncertain future of European leadership
With key European elections approaching, leaders are hesitant to commit to new policies on Ukraine. Poland, a strong supporter of Ukraine, is wary of making commitments ahead of its upcoming presidential vote. Meanwhile, France and Germany remain divided over how much military and financial aid to pledge.
Former officials and analysts warn that Europe must find a way to unite and take a more proactive role. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has urged European leaders to present concrete proposals if they wish to be included in future negotiations. Finnish President Alexander Stubb has also called for a European special envoy to represent the continent in any peace talks, though no consensus has emerged on who that should be.
As Washington and Moscow move ahead with negotiations, Europe faces one of its biggest tests in recent years: whether it can unify and assert itself in shaping the future of Ukraine. For now, the continent remains on the sidelines, struggling to find common ground in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape.
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