European Leaders Urge Trump for Concrete Support to Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict

European leaders have intensified their attempts to clarify the level of support that former President Donald Trump is willing to extend to Ukraine in its battle against Russia. In a video call held on Thursday, European officials pressed Trump to elaborate on the security assurances he would provide for any European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, should a lasting ceasefire be established. The discussion followed a meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing" in Paris, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Labour leader Keir Starmer. European countries' commitments to this coalition are largely finalized but are contingent upon the United States specifying its support, particularly in terms of intelligence, air support, and funding. Notably, major European nations such as Germany, Spain, and Italy have refrained from committing troops, with a German spokesperson emphasizing the importance of focusing on financing, arming, and training Ukrainian forces—a strategy that mirrors the current efforts of Europe on the ground. With growing concerns following the August Alaska summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, European leaders traveled to the White House, fearing that Trump might pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into a humiliating surrender that could involve territorial concessions. In response to their lobbying, Trump claimed to have secured an agreement from Putin to engage directly with Zelenskyy, a claim that was not substantiated, as Russia maintained its stance on Ukrainian territorial demands and on forbidding Ukraine from joining NATO. Aiming to compel a resolution, Trump set a deadline of September 1 for a meeting between the two leaders. Yet, Trump's history of overlooking such deadlines has raised skepticism about progress. In his remarks to The Daily Caller, Trump characterized his previous relationship with Putin as positive but expressed disappointment over the ongoing conflict, labeling it a "senseless war" with loss of life. European leaders have been eager to ensure that Trump remains invested in the conflict, but efforts to translate his frustration with Putin into strategic pressure on the Russian economy have yet to materialize. During the meeting in Paris, Macron underscored Europe's commitment to its obligations, asserting that contributions had been prepared and will now receive political endorsement. Europe has long hoped for Trump to activate economic sanctions on nations importing Russian oil. A notable instance includes the tariffs imposed on India, which may have inadvertently drawn Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi closer to Russia and China. Amidst Trump's perceived diplomatic setbacks, he has indicated a desire to refocus on domestic issues, including crime and economic matters. Representing the U.S. at the Paris talks was Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who also conferred separately with Zelenskyy. Following the summit, Starmer articulated the need for heightened pressure on Putin to achieve a ceasefire, emphasizing the necessity of doubting the Russian leader's reliability as peace negotiations remain stalled while attacks on Ukraine persist. Russia has responded assertively, declaring its opposition to any European troops in Ukraine post-conflict. The coalition backing Ukraine comprises around 30 nations, primarily from Europe but also including Canada, Australia, and Japan. They have convened numerous times for military and political discussions but have yet to release a detailed operational plan amid divisions and uncertainty regarding the U.S. role. In a modest advancement, plans for European nations to procure U.S. weaponry for use in Ukraine have begun to show progress. On August 28, the U.S. State Department announced the delivery of 3,350 Extended Range Air-to-Ground Missiles (ERAM) to Ukraine, valued at approximately $825 million, with funding contributions from Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and the U.S., though financial specifics from each country remain undisclosed. These missiles possess a range comparable to that of the Franco-British ScalpEG missiles, previously used by Ukraine against occupied Crimea and the Russian region of Kursk. Despite these developments, Zelenskyy indicated a lack of signs from Russia indicating a willingness to terminate hostilities. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that decisions regarding the presence of European troops in Ukraine should not be dictated by Putin, advocating for a reevaluation of how much power is granted to him in this equation. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described Putin as the harshest war criminal of the current era. On the international front, Putin recently attended a military parade in Beijing, where he boasted about progress in Ukraine, asserting that Russian forces were advancing on multiple fronts. However, recent indicators suggest that sanctions may be starting to impact the Russian economy significantly, which had seen two years of robust growth due to defense spending. Sberbank's chief, German Gref, warned of economic stagnation and the risk of recession if the central bank fails to lower interest rates. Officially, the Russian war economy had grown by 4.1% in 2023 and is projected at 4.3% in 2024, but these figures are now under duress as high interest rates combat inflation. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2