Russian diplomat says European leaders losing confidence over Trump's return

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said that European leaders are feeling unstable and losing confidence due to Donald Trump's return to the U.S. presidency.

"The owner of the Oval Office has changed in Washington, so the rhetoric did. And what now? Should they leave or admit they were wrong?" Zakharova said, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Zakharova spoke about European politicians being "in absolute disarray" and losing their footing.

She noted that the policies of the European Union (EU) leaders were based on liberal principles endorsed by the U.S.

There should be someone in Europe to point out the mistakes previously made by the EU leaders, the diplomat added.

it is important to note that Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent interactions with U.S. President Donald Trump have elicited varied responses from European Union (EU) leaders, reflecting a mix of concern, scepticism, and strategic recalibration.

The abrupt shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump, particularly the suspension of military aid to Ukraine, has unsettled European leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer have expressed concerns, emphasizing the need for continued support to Ukraine and cautioning against potential U.S.-Russia rapprochement that might marginalize European interests.

In response to Trump's policies, European leaders are exploring independent initiatives to address the Ukraine conflict. Proposals such as the UK's "coalition of the willing" for peacekeeping and France's "partial truce" initiative highlight Europe's efforts to maintain influence and ensure regional stability amidst shifting U.S. priorities. 

By Khagan Isayev