Ukrainians and European allies hope that they will succeed in redirecting the soon-to-be president’s plans to end the war. However, they cannot agree on the content of their own proposal.
Olaf Scholz’s patience was broken. As European Union leaders gathered last week to discuss ways to secure continued support for Ukraine after Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Germany’s chancellor was left fuming when an idea he had previously shelved was again shelved.
Last Wednesday night, during a meeting at the home of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels, Polish President Andrzej Duda suggested that the EU could seize and use 260 billion euros worth of Russian assets frozen in European financial institutions, an idea previously supported by the United States and the United Kingdom, but rejected by other countries. such as Germany, France and Italy.
“You don’t understand how this would affect the stability of our financial markets,” Scholz snapped across the table at Duda, startling the other heads of state present, according to three people familiar with the discussion. “You don’t even use euros!”
I think Trump wants to be strong. And by letting Ukraine down, Trump would not leave a very strong impression… Everything that happens here has clear consequences for America as well.
Kaja Kalla
Head of EU foreign policy
Crucial weeks are approaching for Ukraine and its European allies. Trump has repeatedly said he will end the war “within one day” after taking office on January 20, while Vladimir Putin appears to be in no such hurry. The rhetoric of Trump and his supporters during the election campaign has given the impression that he may try to force Ukraine to agree to a peace deal that is heavily tilted towards Moscow, or to abandon Kiev altogether.
The first post-election talks with Trump and his team have given Europeans hope that his thinking can still be influenced. However, they are unable to reach an agreement among themselves, not only on increasing financial and military aid to Kiev, but also on the question of how to make any future peace agreement permanent, if necessary with the help of their own defense guarantees.
There’s a lot at stake. The issue is not only Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence, but also Europe’s own long-term security interests.
Source: www.aripaev.ee
