European diplomacy in Washington must be followed by strength in defence preparedness at home

By&nbspKristine Berzina, Senior Fellow astatine nan German Marshall Fund of nan United States

Published on 22/08/2025 - 7:30 GMT+2

Russian President Putin must person seen thing profoundly displeasing successful Washington connected Monday: European unity and spot alternatively than nan beratement and embarrassment of President Zelenskyy.

Putin had bully logic to deliberation that nan last-minute Oval Office gathering pinch US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy would beryllium arsenic contentious arsenic it was successful February. Zelenskyy and European leaders had small clip to hole their reactions to nan Alaska summit, and Trump was eager to show speedy advancement towards bid negotiations.

But alternatively than witnesser Zelenskyy guidelines up to Trump connected his own, Russia saw nan Ukrainian president get successful nan White House successful nan institution of nan 7 European leaders representing northern, southern, large and mini countries arsenic good arsenic NATO and nan EU.

In Washington, nan European connection was clear: Europeans were agreed successful their demands for ceasefire, for information guarantees and support for Ukraine. And by coming to Washington successful specified numbers they showed that Ukraine was not simply connected Europe’s periphery but squarely successful nan European soul circle.

And successful nan White House, their purpose was to propulsion Trump into nan circle arsenic well. Watching nan speech unfold, Putin must person seen that he, not Zelenskyy, was nan overseas man out.

A agreed front

European leaders are well-coordinated and now, 7 months into Trump’s 2nd administration, well-practiced astatine presenting a agreed beforehand to defuse imaginable situation related to Trump’s handling of world affairs. Their persistent charm violative pinch nan US president has bought them Trump’s receptor and flattery.

Trump freely dispensed compliments to Chancellor Merz connected his tan, to Finnish President Alexander Stubb connected his youth, and to Italian Prime Minister Meloni connected her enduring leadership. He moreover was lukewarm to nan EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Despite heavy skepticism for nan EU successful nan past, he said he was “honoured” to person her astatine nan table, and he admired that she was “more powerful” than nan different leaders present.

This warmth was not simply a show: It had a argumentation impact.

The European leaders’ resoluteness and unity put retired nan worst fires that could person travel from a Zelenskyy-Trump bilateral. Trump did not publically request that Ukraine capitulate and acquiesce to Putin’s territorial demands. Ukraine was not deemed nan impediment to peace. 

In addition, nan Europeans pushed nan United States to earnestly lend to information guarantees for Ukraine. In nan Monday gathering and after, Trump expressed openness to US practice successful information guarantees. Yes, pinch caveats of nary boots connected nan crushed and astir apt pinch acold little support than Europeans would like, but a fewer weeks ago, fixed Trump’s insistence that this is “not [his] war,” immoderate US assistance for nan conjugation of nan consenting was disconnected nan table.

Now, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is drafting nan information guarantees for Ukraine and coordinating pinch European counterparts.

Embarrassing for some

Some European citizens are unhappy pinch nan style their leaders return pinch Trump, uncovering it embarrassing to watch their leaders ingratiate themselves to him. And yet this attack has averted disaster. In June, Trump backed Article Five astatine nan NATO Summit successful nan Hague. This week, Trump did not unit Zelenskyy to taxable to Putin’s demands. And nan European leaders are keeping nan US president engaged successful European security.

Still, this is not enough. European leaders should not walk nan adjacent 3 and a half years simply putting retired fires.

Instead, they request to clasp their aura of unity to go much tin defence actors connected a faster timeline than they person been consenting to do. Diplomatic unity successful Washington is 1 shape of spot Putin recognises, but having nan manpower and subject capabilities successful spot to make a conjugation of nan consenting imaginable is much important.

Even if nan United States contributes to information guarantees for Ukraine, and this is acold from certain, nan Europeans will person to supply nan immense mostly of manpower and firepower to immoderate information unit that provides a backstop successful Ukraine.

The Trump administration’s inclinations to trim nan US subject beingness successful Europe remains unchanged, and Trump’s individual desire to trim consequence to subject unit will limit nan US’s engagement successful a information force.

Europeans, who successful nan Middle Eastern wars of this period person been accustomed to playing nan domiciled of inferior partner, will person to study to flip nan script.  

Long term, specified European defence spot will beryllium basal for nan full continent, not conscionable Ukraine. Europeans whitethorn beryllium capable to support President Trump successful their orbit done individual ties and smart diplomacy, but other, younger members of nan Republican Party are acold little inclined to thief Europe guidelines up to Russia.

It will beryllium easier for Europeans to support nan United States engaged successful Europe if nan US’ publication is constricted by design. Trying this attack successful Ukraine will supply a bully aviator for what needs to hap crossed nan continent sooner than nan Europeans would like.

Kristine Berzina is simply a Senior Fellow of US Defence and Transatlantic Security astatine nan German Marshall Fund of nan United States.