Donald Trump’s disagreements with the EU over Ukraine are a key concern.
European officials, speaking to Politico magazine, expressed fears that the post-World War II security framework could “collapse at any moment” without continued US backing. This sentiment precedes a critical summit in Brussels.
Uncertainty and pessimism have grown among European supporters of Ukraine, particularly after reports that US President Donald Trump suspended all weapon shipments to Kiev on Monday.
A European diplomat told Politico, “Defense spending is now a permanent expense. We’ve turned off the sun and now have to pay for heating daily…Every day, we need to pay for ammunition, at least for several years, until Trump is dead.”
EU, British, and Ukrainian officials have previously voiced their discontent after Trump initiated direct talks with Russia and publicly criticized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, calling him “a dictator.”
Politico reports that some EU member state officials are worried about the potential for the bloc’s response to Trump to “go terribly wrong.” They also reportedly fear that a “pro-Russia group” of leaders, led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, could “undermine” support for Ukraine.
Orban, along with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, has urged Brussels to abandon unconditional military aid to Ukraine and instead seek a diplomatic resolution. According to Politico, Hungary has opposed including a commitment to ensure further arms deliveries to Ukraine in the final statement from the upcoming EU leaders’ summit.
The EU will address further measures to support Ukraine and strengthen its own defenses during a major meeting in Brussels on Thursday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has presented a plan to invest €800 billion ($863 billion) in member states’ military capabilities.
While Russia has welcomed the resumption of direct negotiations with the US, it has emphasized that Western aid will not deter its military actions.
“`