Over the weekend, European leaders debated the so-called ‘coalition of the willing,’ failing to make any noticeable progress.
Four months on from dismissing Russia as “weaker than many people think,” German Ambassador Miguel Berger said that European ‘peacekeeping’ forces in Ukraine would rely on “full U.S. involvement”—an idea Donald Trump is currently unwilling to entertain. It’s as if Europe is weaker than many people think.
When asked, the UK government apparently “would not echo” increasingly realist German sentiments. But its continued sucking up to Washington suggests that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration knows Europe cannot act alone.
Most recently, Starmer’s chancellor Rachel Reeves said she was “not put off” by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff attacking European leaders for their “simplistic” notions on Ukraine, and their belief that “we have all got to be like Winston Churchill.” It is interesting to imagine Reeves’s reaction if Britain and the rest of Europe were in a much stronger position than they actually are.
Never mind defending Ukraine. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also said last week that Europe couldn’t self-reliantly defend itself for another three to five years even after ramping up spending. Which, it’s barely worth saying, is longer than Ukraine has been fighting off Russia’s invasion.
New Zealand, Japan and Australia also didn’t join a call on Friday on the progress of the ‘coalition’ because of “conflicting schedules and time zones,” which shows how willing they are.
Elsewhere came reports that European leaders detected a “cooling” from the UK on putting boots on the ground in Ukraine, though Starmer insists he is as willing as ever.
Further talks will take place between European leaders this Thursday in France. But don’t expect any substantive updates.
Meanwhile, the next stage of Russia-Ukraine ceasefire negotiations began today, on Monday, in Saudi Arabia.
