Other European leaders, showing coordination among them, emphasized the mutual benefits of the postwar alliance; among these leaders was Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
As leaders convened in Munich, he wrote on X asserting that the Western alliance is too crucial to be allowed to fracture. “The relationship between the U.S. and Europe is wounded, but should be maintained,” he wrote, adding, “We need to be honest about the fact that our relationship has suffered a blow. This does not at all mean we should abandon the transatlantic relation.”
EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius also discussed reshaping the Western alliance, minimizing any shift in transatlantic relations following Trump’s recent threats of annexing Greenland. Speaking at the POLITICO Pub, he mentioned there’s an opportunity for the bloc to take charge of its defense capabilities.
“We took for granted that transatlantic relations means the U.S. will be in Europe and spend its resources here,” Kubilius said, but he also repeated his call for a European rapid reaction force of up to 100,000 troops able to replace American soldiers if they’re called home.
Europeans also stressed that they will continue backing Ukraine with financial and military support while American support under Trump decreases significantly. Macron emphasized that there can be no agreement to end the war without involving Europe.
“Today only Europe gives money to Ukraine,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the POLITICO Pub.
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