Berlin: Germany has cautioned that Europe must be prepared to take on greater responsibility in defending Ukraine, after U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest remarks signaled a sharp, yet uncertain, change in Washington’s approach to the war.
Trump, who had previously hinted that Ukraine might need to cede territory to Russia for peace, has now declared that Kyiv must regain all its land. His latest statement on social media has been welcomed as a reassuring signal for Ukraine, but European leaders remain wary of the sustainability of U.S. commitment. Many fear that the shift could be a temporary gesture, with Trump’s long-term intentions still unclear.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Europe cannot afford to rely on Washington’s rhetoric alone. Speaking on national radio, he urged European countries to explore alternative financial and military measures to guarantee Ukraine’s defense. “We have to be realistic and take stock of our options,” he stressed, noting that Europe should prepare for scenarios in which U.S. support dwindles.
Diplomatic sources across Europe echoed the same sentiment. One Western envoy observed that Trump’s message carried a sense of withdrawal, almost as though he was signaling that Europe must now lead the fight. “He seems to be saying his goodbyes,” the diplomat said, adding that the unpredictability of Trump’s leadership only compounds the urgency for Europe to strengthen its strategic autonomy.
In Eastern Europe, where the Russian threat looms largest, officials described Trump’s shift as a wake-up call. “This is Europe’s question now,” said a senior diplomat, pointing to the need for the EU and NATO allies to put in place more durable mechanisms for military and economic support.
The markets reacted swiftly to the political uncertainty. Shares of European defense companies climbed, reflecting expectations of increased spending, while Ukrainian sovereign bonds fell, signaling investor unease about the reliability of U.S. backing.
In recent months, European governments have already increased their defense budgets and worked out arrangements to procure weapons for Ukraine from American stockpiles. Yet experts caution that such efforts, while commendable, may fall short of what is needed if Washington pulls back. Neil Melvin, of the Royal United Services Institute, warned: “We are always just one call to Putin away from a shift. The fragility of U.S. commitment means Europe has to be ready to carry the weight.”
The war in Ukraine has thus entered a new phase of geopolitical uncertainty. While Trump’s words may sound supportive, the underlying message for Europe is unmistakable: it must step up, or risk seeing Kyiv’s resistance falter in the absence of unwavering U.S. backing.