In this week’s edition of our weekly talk show, participants discuss the dramatic shake-up regarding Ukraine diplomacy
What happened at the White House didn’t stay at the White House. The made-for-tv clash between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy left America’s allies in Europe stunned. Never before has there been such a public display of disdain and distrust between allies and partners. The minerals deal that was supposed to be signed in Washington, is now up in the air – as is the future commitment of the United States to supporting Ukraine.
The disaster in the Oval Office left European leaders scrambling for answers. One option is a massive ramp-up of military spending to support Ukraine and defend Europe alone – in case Trump and Elon Musk decide to unceremoniously withdraw U.S. troops from the continent. To fill this void, the British prime minister even suggested a “coalition of the willing” to protect Ukraine and a peace agreement with Russia that may or may not come. Where is all this going?
The perfect question for our guests this week: Shada Islam, independent analyst and commentator on European affairs from Belgium, Ville Niinistö, Member of the European Parliament for the Greens from Finland and Giuseppe Spatafora, research analyst at the EU Institute for Security Studies.
Europe may well be on its own when it comes to supporting Ukraine in the future. However, the participants at the London summit proved to Trump that they, too, can create facts that will influence the final settlement of the war.
First: more military support for Ukraine. Second, no demilitarization of Ukraine after the end of the conflict. And third, security guarantees from European forces behind Ukrainian lines. Can such a concept work and could it impress Trump?
The Trump administration is currently taking a turn that will shock many by focusing entirely on direct negotiations with Moscow and hinting at peace strategies that are entirely to Russia’s liking. A reorientation that is not totally surprising given Trump’s admiration for authoritarian rulers such as Putin.
Are we witnessing the creation of a new geopolitical reality here? Is Trump taking a domestic political risk with this realignment?
This episode was recorded on 5 March ahead of the European Council summit in Brussels.
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