Europe prepares for potential cuts in US aid to Ukraine Urges Trump to maintain support

European leaders have begun internal discussions on how to support Ukraine in the event of a reduction in US aid under President-elect Donald Trump.

At a recent dinner in Budapest, EU leaders explored the possibility of bridging the gap if Washington scales back military and financial assistance to Kyiv, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Trump’s election victory has raised concerns in Europe, especially as Russia continues its military advances in Ukraine. European leaders emphasized the importance of not allowing Russia to prevail, with French President Emmanuel Macron stating that a Russian victory would have dangerous implications for European security.

Trump has expressed a desire to end the Ukraine conflict quickly but has not outlined a clear strategy. He has voiced opposition to continued US military aid to Ukraine and has shown a favourable stance towards Russian President Vladimir Putin. While it remains unclear whether Trump will cut US support for Ukraine, the EU is preparing for the possibility.

Some European leaders, particularly from the Baltic states and Scandinavia, have suggested increasing their support for Ukraine, while others, like French President Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, have shown caution due to domestic economic challenges.

Hungary and Slovakia, led by leaders sympathetic to Trump, have expressed skepticism about further aid to Ukraine, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban advocating for a ceasefire. Despite this, European leaders, including Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, have reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine and called on the US to remain engaged.

Since Russia's invasion in February 2022, the US has been the largest donor to Ukraine, providing over $100 billion in aid, including military support. The EU has contributed $133 billion in various forms of assistance. However, Europe faces limitations in military support due to depleted weapon stocks and weaker defence industries compared to the US.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in meetings with European leaders, suggested that if US funding is cut, Europe could use the $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to continue supporting Ukraine. However, concerns remain about the impact of such moves on European financial stability. As tensions rise, European governments are preparing for a more self-reliant approach to supporting Ukraine.

By Vafa Guliyeva