US President Donald Trump has lambasted European leaders as “feeble” and hinted that the US might reduce its assistance to Ukraine.
In a comprehensive interview with Politico, he stated that the “deteriorating” European nations had not succeeded in managing migration or taking bold steps to end the conflict in Ukraine with Russia, claiming they allowed Kyiv to fight “until they drop”.
European leaders have sought to establish a role in the US-led initiatives aimed at concluding the war, which they worry could undermine the continent’s long-term interests in favor of a swift resolution.
In reply, the UK’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper asserted that what she perceived in Europe was “strength”, highlighting investments in defense along with support for Kyiv.
She added that two presidents were “working towards peace” – referring to Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – while stating that “one president – President Putin – has thus far merely aimed to escalate the conflict with increased drone and missile assaults”.
Trump maintained the pressure on Zelensky to reach a peace agreement, advising him to “play ball” by conceding territory to Moscow. Russia commenced its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Zelensky, posting on X later on Tuesday, conveyed that Ukraine and Europe were actively collaborating on “all elements of potential actions towards concluding the war”, noting that the Ukrainian and European aspects of the strategy were now more refined.
He then informed reporters that he expected the proposals to be presented to the US on Wednesday.
Trump’s recent public disapproval of Europe came a day after European leaders convened in London to deliberate their continual combined endeavors to cease the fighting in Ukraine.
When asked if Europe could aid in ending the war, Trump stated: “They talk but they don’t deliver. And the conflict just continues indefinitely.”
US officials have conducted separate discussions with Ukrainian and Russian representatives in recent weeks in a bid to negotiate an end to the conflict. Up to this point, no agreement has been finalized.
The president of Ukraine has urged European and NATO leaders to assist in steering the US away from endorsing a deal that Kyiv fears would leave it vulnerable to future aggressions.
On Sunday, Trump implied, without evidence, that Zelensky was the primary barrier to peace.
He told reporters that Russia was “okay” with the peace proposal presented to both parties by the US, which included significant concessions for Ukraine and which allies were anxious could render it defenseless against future invasions.
In the Politico interview, he asserted that Ukrainian negotiators “loved” the US-supported proposal and claimed Zelensky had yet to review it.
Trump also reiterated previous calls for Kyiv to conduct elections, arguing it was “using war” as an excuse to postpone them.
He stated: “You know, they discuss a democracy, but it reaches a point where it ceases to be a democracy.”
Zelensky’s five-year term as president was expected to conclude in May 2024, yet elections have been halted in Ukraine since martial law was enacted following Russia’s invasion.
After Trump’s remarks, Zelensky expressed to reporters that he was “prepared for the elections” and would request proposals to be drafted that could amend the law.
Elections could potentially occur in the ensuing 60 to 90 days if security is assured with assistance from the US and other allies, he told reporters.
Additionally, in the Politico interview, Trump claimed that ideological divisions now jeopardized Washington’s alliances with Europe.
When questioned whether leaders he considered weak could remain allies, he replied: “It depends”, adding: “I perceive them as weak, but I also think they strive to be politically correct. I believe they are uncertain about how to proceed.”
The president’s comments followed the release of his administration’s new 33-page National Security Strategy, which raised concerns about Europe’s potential “civilisational collapse” and questioned whether certain nations could still be trusted allies.
Russia embraced that strategy – which did not categorize Russia as a threat to the US – as “largely congruent” with Moscow’s perspective.
Trump also cautioned on Tuesday that numerous countries in Europe “will not remain viable countries any longer” if they continue on their current path, stating: “What they’re doing with immigration is a catastrophe.”
He highlighted Hungary and Poland as performing a “very commendable job” regarding immigration, but asserted that the majority of European nations were “declining”.
In reaction on Tuesday to the strategy, German chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated that some sections were plausible and some understandable, yet other aspects were unacceptable from a European perspective.
He dismissed the notion that the US needed to “rescue democracy” in Europe, asserting that Europeans could tackle such issues independently.
The strategy also echoed similar rhetoric to Trump’s address to the UN earlier this year, where he voiced harsh criticisms for Western Europe and its policies on migration and clean energy.
