Europe Prepares for Post-America Ukraine Strategy Amid Trump’s Uncertain Support
As concerns mount over President Donald Trump’s wavering stance on Ukraine, British and French officials are shifting gears — from planning peacekeeping deployments to preparing a long-term European-led strategy to support Kyiv without U.S. backing, The Gaze reports, citing The Telegraph.
At a high-level meeting in The Hague, attended by foreign ministry political directors, Western officials acknowledged the growing likelihood that the United States may step back from its central role in backing Ukraine’s defense. A Western official present described the mood starkly: “Let’s get real and admit the US will never be on board.”
The discussions signal a turning point for the so-called “coalition of the willing” — an initiative championed by UK Labour leader Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron — originally designed to position European forces as peacekeepers in a post-ceasefire Ukraine.
Now, with peace looking distant and Russia advancing militarily near Toretsk, Novopavlivka, and Kurakhove, officials are focusing on sustaining Ukraine’s defense capabilities independently of Washington.
Limited U.S. Role
Although President Trump has not approved any new weapons packages since taking office, shipments agreed under the Biden administration are still arriving. The U.S. also continues to authorize sales of spare parts and American-made equipment to Ukraine through European intermediaries.
Still, the uncertainty over future American involvement is reshaping European security thinking. One key issue is whether Washington will offer a “security guarantee” or serve as a back-up force for any peacekeeping arrangement — something now viewed as unlikely.
NATO Summit, Peace Talks Ahead
In another sign of recalibration, European officials are pushing for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, despite Trump’s vocal opposition to Ukraine joining the alliance.
Trump’s envoy, Gen. Keith Kellogg, recently said: “To us, Ukraine coming into NATO is not on the table.”
Ukraine, however, is proceeding with diplomatic engagement, insisting on receiving Russia’s peace proposal in writing before the second round of Istanbul talks, expected next week.
“In order for the next meeting to be meaningful, we must receive a document in advance,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Meanwhile, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group — involving 50 nations — is preparing to meet next week in the UK and Germany to further coordinate military aid to Kyiv, underscoring that, while U.S. support may be uncertain, international resolve is not.
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