US President Donald Trump has criticised European leaders as weak and suggested the US could scale back support for Ukraine.
In a wide-ranging interview with Politico, he said decaying European countries had failed to control migration or take decisive action to end Ukraine's war with Russia, accusing them of letting Kyiv fight until they drop.
European leaders have made attempts to carve out a role in the US-led efforts to end the war, which they fear will undercut the long-term interests of the continent in favour of a quick resolution.
In response, the UK's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said all she saw in Europe was strength, citing investment in defence as well as funding for Kyiv.
She added two presidents were working for peace - referring to Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - while one president - President Putin - has so far simply sought to escalate the conflict with further drone and missile attacks.
Trump continued to increase pressure on Zelensky to agree to a peace deal, urging him to play ball by ceding territory to Moscow. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Zelensky, writing on X later, said Ukraine and Europe were working actively on all components of potential steps toward ending the war, suggesting that proposals would be submitted to the US soon.
Trump's recent criticisms follow attempts by European leaders in London to discuss continued joint efforts to stop the fighting in Ukraine. When asked whether Europe could help end the war, Trump dismissed their efforts, stating: They talk but they don't produce. And the war just keeps going on and on.
US officials have held separate talks with Ukrainian and Russian officials in recent weeks to broker an end to the war. No agreement has been reached yet.
Trump's commentary further accused European nations, particularly citing Hungary and Poland as exceptions, of being decaying due to their immigration policies.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded to Trump’s comments expressing a mixed reception to the US National Security Strategy, which criticized Europe while ignoring Russia as a threat.
In conclusion, Trump's rhetoric has fueled concerns over the direction of US-European relations and the effectiveness of joint efforts in addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine.
