Europe scrambles to salvage Transatlantic alliance amidst Trump’s stance on Ukraine

Faced with a crumbling transatlantic alliance, European leaders have initiated a frantic diplomatic effort to preserve its remnants and address Donald Trump’s growing influence on the Ukraine conflict.

On February 24, French President Emmanuel Macron hurried to Washington for a crucial meeting with President Donald Trump, just days before British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was set to visit. Macron's three-hour discussion with Trump resulted in what he described as “substantive steps” forward, Caliber.Az reports, citing The Economist.

However, the two leaders’ positions could not be more divergent. Macron, alongside other European leaders, regards Ukraine’s security as vital in countering Russian expansionism. He emphasized that “peace” should not mean Ukraine’s surrender. In stark contrast, Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, even calling him a “dictator,” and last week initiated direct talks with Russia, bypassing Zelenskyy and European allies. Trump notably refrained from labeling Vladimir Putin a dictator during his meeting with Macron, saying, “I don’t use those words lightly.”

Despite these differences, Macron left Washington somewhat optimistic. He claimed that Trump had agreed to support any future European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, although the specifics were unclear. The two leaders discussed the possibility of a coalition of European and allied forces, potentially supported by the U.S., to help enforce peace should Ukraine and Russia reach a settlement. This European-led force could be part of a broader security framework to deter further Russian aggression, but it would require American military and intelligence backing to be credible.

Trump, for his part, suggested that Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine, although Macron clarified that such forces would not engage in direct combat. Their role would primarily be to reassure Ukraine and uphold peace. The notion of American support for European peacekeepers, albeit vague, was seen as a potential shift in Trump’s stance on Ukraine.

Despite the cautious optimism surrounding Macron's visit, the outcome remains uncertain. Trump's words have yet to translate into concrete action, as seen when the U.S. voted alongside Russia against a UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As Europe continues to recalibrate its security strategy, the real test will come with Starmer’s visit, which may reveal whether these discussions will evolve into tangible progress.

By Vugar Khalilov