What's happened
As the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches, EU leaders express concern over the US's changing stance under President Trump. Key figures, including Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas, emphasize the necessity of including Ukraine in any peace negotiations, while an emergency EU summit is scheduled for March 6 to address support for Ukraine.
What's behind the headline?
Key Concerns
- US Policy Shift: The Trump administration's approach has alarmed European leaders, who fear it may undermine Ukraine's position in peace negotiations.
- EU Unity: Leaders like Kaja Kallas stress that any peace deal must involve Ukraine and Europe, countering Trump's direct negotiations with Russia.
- Emergency Summit: The upcoming EU summit on March 6 aims to solidify support for Ukraine amidst these changes.
Implications
- Security Dynamics: The evolving US stance could lead to a reconfiguration of NATO's role and European defense strategies.
- Ukrainian Sovereignty: Ukraine's involvement in negotiations is crucial for its sovereignty and future security guarantees.
- Long-term Strategy: European leaders are urged to develop independent defense capabilities to address new challenges posed by shifting US policies.
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated, 'In this fight for survival, it is not only the destiny of Ukraine that is at stake. It’s Europe’s destiny.' This sentiment reflects the urgency felt by European leaders as they navigate the implications of Trump's policy changes. The Independent highlights Kaja Kallas's insistence that 'the US cannot seal any peace deal to end the war without Ukraine or Europe being involved,' emphasizing the need for a unified European response. Meanwhile, the NY Post reports that Hungary's foreign minister has expressed reluctance to support new payments to Ukraine, suggesting a divide within the EU regarding financial commitments. This divergence underscores the complexities of European unity in the face of shifting US foreign policy.
How we got here
The conflict in Ukraine has escalated since Russia's invasion in 2022, with the US historically providing strong support to Ukraine. Recent shifts in US policy under President Trump have raised alarms among European leaders, prompting them to reassess their strategies regarding Ukraine and Russia.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Trump's policy changes for Ukraine?
- How are European leaders planning to respond to the US shift?
- What support is being discussed for Ukraine at the upcoming summit?
More on these topics
-
Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen is a German politician and the president of the European Commission since 1 December 2019. She served in the federal government of Germany from 2005 to 2019 as the longest-serving member of Angela Merkel's cabinet.
-
Justin Pierre James Trudeau PC MP is a Canadian politician who has served as the 23rd prime minister of Canada since 2015 and has been the leader of the Liberal Party since 2013.
-
Kaja Kallas is an Estonian politician and the prime minister of Estonia since 26 January 2021. She has been the leader of the Reform Party since 2018, and a member of Riigikogu since 2019, and previously from 2011 to 2014.
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
