WASHINGTON D.C. — Former U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of European leadership this week, labeling key allies as “weak” and suggesting the United States might scale back its commitment to funding Ukraine’s defense against Russia. In wide-ranging remarks delivered publicly and in interviews, Trump broadly contended that European nations have been ineffective in managing the conflict and addressing pressing issues like migration, even as European leaders reaffirmed their long-term commitment to Kyiv.
Trump’s assertions appeared to sharpen his established skeptical view of transatlantic cooperation. Speaking to a magazine publication, the former president claimed several European countries were “decaying” and had failed to implement decisive measures, accusing them of allowing Ukraine to fight a prolonged war “until they drop.” This viewpoint contrasts sharply with the unified stance held by many European governments, who have been cautious about any quick resolution that might compromise the continent’s long-term security architecture.
European Allies Push Back on “Weak” Label
The immediate reaction from Europe focused on rejecting Trump’s characterization, particularly regarding efforts to sustain Ukraine. U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that she observed “strength” across the continent, pointing to significant increases in defense spending and the sustained financial and military backing provided to Kyiv. Cooper noted that while leaders like Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky were focused on achieving peace, Russian President Vladimir Putin continued to escalate the conflict through ongoing missile and drone attacks.
Trump further sought to pressure President Zelensky into agreeing to a peace settlement, urging him to “play ball” by ceding certain territories to Russia. In response, Zelensky stated via a post on X that Ukraine and its European partners were finalizing “all components” of a comprehensive plan to end the war, which was scheduled for submission to U.S. officials shortly thereafter.
Claims Against Zelensky and Internal Strategy
The former president also targeted Zelensky specifically, claiming without offering evidence that the Ukrainian leader was the primary impediment to peace. He alleged that Russia was amenable to a peace proposal outlined by the U.S. and that Ukrainian negotiators “loved” the details, insinuating that Zelensky himself had not reviewed the document. Trump doubled down on calls for immediate Ukrainian elections, suspended under martial law following Russia’s 2022 invasion, asserting the Ukrainian government was using the war as a pretext to delay a democratic exercise.
However, Zelensky has previously expressed readiness for elections, proposing amendments to martial law to allow polling within a two- to three-month timeframe, provided NATO allies, including the U.S., could fully guarantee security.
In addition to military concerns, Trump linked the perceived weakness of European allies to broader ideological divisions and migration policy. He warned that current trends could render many European countries “not viable any longer,” praising the strict border approaches of nations like Hungary and Poland while dismissing the majority of Western Europe as politically correct and lacking adequate direction.
These comments followed the release of a 33-page National Security Strategy from the current White House administration, which controversially signaled risks of Europe’s potential “civilisational erasure” and questioned the reliability of certain allies. Notably, Moscow largely welcomed the strategy, finding it “consistent” with their own geopolitical outlook, as it avoided framing Russia as the primary threat to the U.S.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reflected the mixed European reaction, acknowledging plausibility in parts of the U.S. strategy but labeling certain aspects as “unacceptable.” Merz adamantly rejected the notion that the U.S. must “save democracy” in Europe, stressing that European nations are fully capable of resolving their own internal challenges.
The ongoing friction highlights a significant strain on transatlantic relations, particularly concerning joint security efforts and approaches to diplomacy in Eastern Europe. The continued divergence in perspective between Trump and established European leadership guarantees that the future of Western unity will remain a central debate.