Berlin: Europe has been called upon to assume a more decisive role in supporting Ukraine following a notable change in rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump, Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Wednesday. Speaking to Deutschlandfunk radio, Wadephul emphasized that the United States’ recent signals endorsing Ukraine’s goal of reclaiming its full territory underscore the urgent need for European nations to take responsibility and act more decisively in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Wadephul noted that Trump’s earlier statements had hinted at the possibility of encouraging Ukraine to negotiate territorial concessions to end hostilities. However, the president’s latest comments mark a departure from that stance, suggesting that Washington may now view Europe as primarily responsible for sustaining support to Kyiv. “Europe must grow up and look at what we ourselves can achieve,” Wadephul said, stressing that European nations cannot rely solely on the U.S. to shoulder the burden of supporting Ukraine.
Officials in Brussels and Berlin interpreted Trump’s remarks as a signal of potential U.S. disengagement, with some diplomats observing that Europe is being asked to step into the strategic void. An Eastern European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “The message is clear: Europe must now take the lead in ensuring Ukraine’s security and stability.”
European states have already taken steps toward self-reliance. NATO members within Europe have increased defense spending and coordinated supply mechanisms to deliver advanced weaponry to Ukraine, including air defense systems sourced from U.S. stockpiles. Meanwhile, the European Union is exploring ways to channel frozen Russian assets toward financial aid for Ukraine, balancing this effort with concerns about maintaining investor confidence in Western financial markets.
Wadephul welcomed Trump’s acknowledgment of his limited influence over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions, describing the shift as “good for Ukraine and good for Europe.” Yet, he cautioned that European engagement will require considerable political will, financial resources, and coordinated action among member states. The challenge, he noted, is not merely logistical but strategic: ensuring that Europe can independently sustain Ukraine’s defense without jeopardizing unity or economic stability.
Financial markets responded to these developments, with European defense and aerospace stocks showing notable gains amid expectations of expanded military aid and increased European defense initiatives. Analysts suggest that Europe’s strategic recalibration could accelerate defense integration across the continent while reinforcing support for Ukraine in the medium term.
As the United States subtly repositions its role, European leaders face a critical moment of reckoning. The choice is stark: either Europe rises to meet the challenge, asserting leadership and sustaining Ukraine’s defense, or it risks leaving a power vacuum that could have far-reaching implications for continental security and the post-war balance in Eastern Europe.