French and British leaders are in a hurry in Washington

French and British leaders are in a hurry in Washington

A crucial week is imminent for Ukraine and the West. The leaders of the two European nuclear powers push into the White House in order to recover their central role after the exclusion from the US Russia talks about a war ending-both for themselves and for Ukraine.

shock wave by Trump

President Donald Trump caused excitement in the transatlantic alliance last week when he targeted Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj and twisted the truth about the beginning of the war, which played the hands of Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

visits in Washington

The French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Trump on Monday, the third anniversary of the brutal invasion of Russia in the sovereign democracy of Ukraine, who cost tens of thousands of civilian life and where Putin and his troops are charged for war crimes. The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will follow on Thursday, in one of the most critical moments of his short term, while the trenches between Washington and London deepen the reality of the situation in Ukraine.

European “calming dispute”

Great Britain and France work on plans for a European “calming power”, possibly with up to 30,000 troops that could be sent to Ukraine in the event of a peace plan. However, this idea encounters massive hurdles. Above all, it seems highly unlikely that both, Selenskyj and Putin, are single -level. Strandmer has already warned that the armed forces cannot operate effectively without “securing” on the part of the United States - including security guarantees, American secret services, air support and heavy transportation.

The effects of Trump's politics

Trump's change of course in Ukraine threatens to create historical divisions that endanger the transatlantic alliance and post -war order. While Trump treated America's long -term friends who were unable to meet the Appeals of past presidents after more defense spending than opponents, the new administration has shaken the decades of assumptions about America's security guarantees for the West. These developments let the transatlantic allies put in an alarmed position.

The reaction of the European leaders

In a remarkable comment that aptly summarized the historical situation, Friedrich Merz, probably the next leader in Germany and chairwoman of the conservative Christian democratic Union, explained that his top priority was to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible in order to gradually achieve independence from the USA. "According to Donald Trump last week, it is clear that the Americans - at least the part of this administration - are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe," said Merz.

a quick peace conclusion?

Trump apparently strives for a lightning -fast peace agreement, similar to the speed of his domestic transformation one month after his return to the White House. His mediator in the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who has a leading role in the Ukraine talks, expressed the prospect of a quick breakthrough after the meeting between US and Russian officials last week. "We were very, very close to signing something," said Witkoff.

The concerns of the Democrats

The Democrat Jack Reed accused Trump to surrender Putin. "This is not a statesman or a diplomat. This is someone who admires Putin and does not believe in the struggle of the Ukrainians," he said. These concerns increase fears in Ukrainian and European politics that Trump simply wants to seal a deal with Russia, just to impose it on Ukraine.

European unity and the role of Trump

Macron and Strandmer will try to convince the president that it looks bad if he doesn't negotiate with Putin hard. Macron confirmed that he would make Trump clear that he could not weaken himself in the confrontation with President Putin. "I will tell him that his brand image must not be shaped by weakness," said Macron.

The challenge in Washington

The pressure on Trump, which is expected by the European leaders, will not be easy. This presidential desire for increased defense spending burdens the governments that are already restricted by tense public finances. Despite the simultaneous remark by Straßer that Trump is "right" when it comes to increasing defense spending, there will be difficulties to reach a significant agreement.

look into the future

The European message will be a major challenge for a transaction -oriented president who does not see alliances as a power multiplier for American power. Macron has already tried to influence Trump on the Ukraine question by arranging a trilateral meeting between Trump and Zelensky in order to illustrate the need for security guarantees for Ukraine. But two months later, the conversations seem to have left no permanent impressions on Trump.

In this tense context, it is up to the European leader to develop a new strategy to ensure both Ukraine security and to promote cohesion within Europe.