Thu Nov 07 20:23:22 UTC 2024: ## European Leaders Fear Trump’s Ukraine Stance, Call for Greater European Defense
**Budapest, Hungary** – The re-election of Donald Trump as US president has sparked anxiety among European leaders who are demanding greater autonomy in security and defense. Gathering in Budapest for the European Political Community summit, leaders expressed concern about Trump’s past statements regarding the war in Ukraine, specifically his promise to end the conflict “within hours.”
Trump’s previous administration was marked by friction with European allies, with him demanding increased defense spending and expressing skepticism about US support for Ukraine. His recent election victory has revived concerns about the future of the transatlantic alliance.
French President Emmanuel Macron described Trump’s victory as a “historic and decisive moment indeed” for Europe, urging leaders to “not delegate forever our security to America.” He stressed the importance of defending European interests, saying, “The question is whether we are willing to defend the European interest.”
The sentiment was echoed by other leaders. EU Council President Charles Michel emphasized the need for Europe to become less reliant on the US, saying, “We have to be more masters of our destiny.”
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and others emphasized the importance of continued support for Ukraine, a message directed both at Trump and other European leaders. “It is in all our interests that the autocrats of this world get a very clear message,” she stated.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for “waking up from our geopolitical naivety” and committing more resources to address global challenges, while NATO chief Mark Rutte, who served as Netherlands prime minister during Trump’s previous term, expressed confidence in working with the US president.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while expressing gratitude for US support, expressed concern about Trump’s “fast” solution to the war, arguing that it could be detrimental to Ukraine.
The summit concluded with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stating, “There was agreement that Europe should take more responsibility for securing peace and safety…we cannot wait for the Americans to protect us.”
European leaders remain uncertain about the implications of Trump’s re-election, particularly his proposed approach to the war in Ukraine. The summit’s focus on European defense underscores the growing sense of unease and the need for greater self-reliance in the face of global challenges.
First Piper 