Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been urged by some European leaders, including Labour leader Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, to rebuild his relationship with Washington following a public confrontation with Donald Trump and JD Vance last Friday. However, this advice appears misplaced, and Zelenskyy would do better to resist the pressure to grovel before the US and instead focus on his European allies.
In a highly charged and public clash at the White House, Trump and Vance took aim at Zelenskyy, with Trump launching an all-out attack on the Ukrainian president’s leadership, accusing him of obstructing peace efforts and claiming that he was using America’s support to prolong the war. In a typical Trump fashion, the former president and his allies threatened to withhold military aid to Ukraine, trying to force Kyiv into a compromise with Moscow that would leave the country divided and devoid of US or NATO security guarantees. Trump’s ultimate goal seemed to be securing greater access to Ukraine’s strategic resources for US companies, particularly its rare earth minerals.
However, it is now abundantly clear that the Trump administration has no interest in mending fences with Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian president should not waste time attempting to appease those who have already turned their backs on him. The man who refused to capitulate to Russian aggression should not now submit to Trump’s ultimatums or political extortion. It is a clear sign that further engagement with Washington, under the current administration, would only result in more humiliation for Ukraine, without additional military or security support.
Instead, Zelenskyy should focus on pressing European countries to deliver on their promises. The EU has committed significant political and economic support to Ukraine, and now is the time for them to follow through on that. Ukraine’s European allies must provide the necessary military aid, and Zelenskyy should use the carrot of access to Ukraine’s rich mineral resources to encourage faster action. A more integrated Ukrainian future within Europe could be the reward, with an accelerated EU accession process providing the framework for both political and economic stability for Ukraine moving forward.
If Trump escalates matters further, as many suspect he will, and cuts off vital US intelligence and communications support for Ukraine, Europe must step in to fill the gap. The EU’s own government satellite network can help mitigate the loss of Elon Musk’s Starlink services, ensuring Ukraine maintains crucial military and strategic communications. If the US chooses to act in this manner, it will only signal to the world that its security partnerships and tech companies are unreliable in times of crisis, further eroding trust among its global allies.
The fallout from the Oval Office confrontation was swift, and some European leaders have yet to fully comprehend the scale of the shift in Washington’s approach. The transatlantic bond, which has long been seen as the cornerstone of European security, was put into question. The assumption that the US would always have Europe’s back, protecting the continent while allowing its allies to spend less on defense, has been shattered. The new reality is that US priorities under the Trump administration are shifting, and European leaders need to adjust quickly.
Mark Rutte’s comments, urging Zelenskyy to restore ties with the American president and leadership team, come from a place of wanting to preserve the transatlantic alliance. But this outlook is overly optimistic, given the current US stance. While it’s understandable that Rutte wants to keep the peace with Washington, the reality is that Europe can no longer afford to wait for the US to reconsider its position. It’s time for European leaders to take matters into their own hands and strengthen their commitment to Ukraine.
Similarly, Keir Starmer’s call for bridge-building with the US, while publicly reiterating Britain’s full support for Ukraine, seems out of touch with the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. The UK, which has long relied on its close relationship with the US, now faces a dilemma. Starmer and other UK leaders must confront the uncomfortable reality that the US may no longer be a reliable partner in supporting Ukraine. The UK’s security interests are deeply entwined with Washington’s, especially in intelligence sharing and its nuclear deterrent, making it difficult for any British leader to choose between supporting Ukraine and maintaining the “special relationship” with the US.
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It is now up to Europe, particularly the UK, to demonstrate that they are ready to shoulder the responsibility of supporting Ukraine. This includes emptying ammunition stocks to ensure Ukraine’s continued supply and ramping up industrial production to deliver a steady flow of arms. Furthermore, European nations should remove any self-imposed restrictions on providing Ukraine with medium-range missiles to target Russian bases and supply lines. In the long term, Europe must also prepare for a post-ceasefire scenario, where a security framework must be established to protect Ukraine with little or no US support.
Zelenskyy, who has been a symbol of resistance and bravery in the face of Russian aggression, is now in an incredibly difficult position. He risks becoming a tragic figure caught between the conflicting demands of a vengeful Putin and an unpredictable Trump. But with the right European backing, Ukraine can still emerge victorious. Even if all the occupied territory cannot be reclaimed, Zelenskyy’s leadership and the support of Europe can ensure that Ukraine remains a free and sovereign nation.
It is time for European nations to act decisively, strengthening their support for Ukraine not just with words, but with tangible actions. Only then can Ukraine have a chance at achieving a just peace, and Zelenskyy can continue his fight for the freedom of his people and the security of Europe.
