By Andrew Gray and Lili Bayer
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Following Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s recent clash with Donald Trump, unexpected alliances are forming among European leaders in support of Ukraine amidst heightened security tensions on the continent. Despite expressing solidarity with Zelenskiy and criticizing Trump’s actions, European leaders acknowledge their reliance on the U.S. president in addressing the conflict in Ukraine and ensuring Europe’s defense against Russia.
The stark reality facing Europeans is the overwhelming military strength of the United States, which far surpasses their own capabilities. While striving to bolster defense spending and take on greater security responsibilities, Europeans are acutely aware of their reliance on U.S. support for peace in Ukraine and safeguarding the security of the continent.
The question of whether Europe can continue to depend on U.S. power as a cornerstone of their security strategy looms large, not only for Ukraine but also for the broader European security landscape and the NATO alliance. Despite Trump’s recent criticisms of Zelenskiy, European leaders are maintaining their strategic approach, emphasizing continued engagement with the U.S. while enhancing their own defense capabilities.
At a recent leaders’ meeting in London and an upcoming European Union summit on Ukraine and defense in Brussels, the European strategy of diplomacy and self-reliance will be in the spotlight. Calls for Zelenskiy to mend ties with Trump, alongside declarations of Europe’s willingness to take on a greater role in providing security guarantees for Ukraine, underscore the delicate balancing act faced by European leaders.
Some observers doubt the effectiveness of this strategy given Trump’s stance and warming relations with Russia. Yet European officials believe they have no choice but to persist in their efforts, despite their frustration with Trump’s treatment of Zelenskiy. Urgent concerns remain about sustaining U.S. arms deliveries to Ukraine under the Biden administration, with NATO reporting significant security assistance provided by the U.S. in recent years.
In the midst of evolving security dynamics, Europe is navigating a complex landscape where unexpected partnerships are emerging as a response to the shifting tides of geopolitics.
All assistance received by Kyiv. America’s support to Ukraine is not just about ammunition and weapons, from artillery shells to air defense systems. It also provides intelligence, training, and other assistance that would be hard for Europeans to replace. In the longer term, European leaders say any soldiers they send to Ukraine to defend a peace deal would need backup from their nuclear-armed superpower ally, even though Washington has made clear it will not deploy troops inside the country. That would mean U.S. forces being ready to intervene to protect European troops if they came under attack from Russia. “The Russians need to know that they’re going to answer to the United States as well as to the Europeans on the ground,” Mandelson told ABC News on Sunday. Europe’s reliance on the U.S. is even greater for its own defense inside the NATO alliance. Tens of thousands of U.S. troops are deployed in bases across the continent, and the U.S. provides a range of military capabilities that Europe currently can’t match – from mid-air refueling to a giant nuclear umbrella. For now, Europeans are taking comfort in declarations by the Trump administration that it is committed to NATO. But they say NATO will have to change substantially – with a much greater European role. “We know that they expect us to take greater responsibility for Europe’s security, and we must be ready for that,” said a senior European official. ($1 = 0.9583 euros) (Reporting by Andrew Gray and Lili Bayer; Additional reporting by John Irish; Writing by Andrew Gray; Editing by Peter Graff)
