Ukraine war: does Europe have any say?
After Friday's summit in Alaska, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is travelling to Washington today – accompanied by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and several European leaders – to discuss the future of Ukraine with US President Donald Trump. Commentators review what Europe must do to make itself heard in the White House and the Kremlin.
Time to wake up
For Jyllands-Posten, the main takeaway of the Alaska summit is that Europe must lead the way:
“When it comes to support for Ukraine, the ball is largely in Europe's court. ... There are precise roadmaps for tightening sanctions so that they hit much harder where it hurts, not least in relation to Russia's energy sector. The discussions in Alaska should have dispelled any illusions that Washington's cavalry will ride in to save Ukraine and Europe. If the continent's major powers finally wake up and grasp this, Trump's ramshackle summit may have something like a positive effect after all.”
Take more risks
The Europeans will have no choice but to do more for Ukraine's security, writes De Volkskrant:
“If Europe wants to keep Ukraine afloat it must do more and, above all, take more risks. Geopolitical risks in the confrontation with Putin, who only understands the language of power. And electoral risks: according to surveys, most Europeans understand the threat from Russia, but the question is how they will react if additional aid for Ukraine really hurts them economically. Nevertheless, increased support for Ukraine is vital: it is in Europe's interest to stop the Russian aggression.”
The rules of the game
If the Europeans want a say vis-à-vis Russia they must boost their support for Ukraine, advises political scientist Vladimir Pastukhov in a Telegram post picked up by Echo:
“You want to negotiate with Putin from a position of strength? Excellent idea – then put together that strength, open up a 'second front', set up a European expeditionary force and finally give the Ukrainians the 'Taurus' missiles. But up to now you have hardly been able to agree on sending a decorative police force to Ukraine 'in the event of peace being achieved and to preserve it'. If you want a seat at the negotiating table, you have to pay for the food. Hand over your 'patriots' to Ukraine immediately – it needs them more than you do.”
This is about the continent's security
Europe's security architecture is at stake here, La Stampa stresses:
“Today's summit on Ukraine at the White House is a referendum on the European order. It's not just about Kyiv, but about the principle that borders must not be changed by force and that the sovereignty is not a bargaining chip. There are three goals. Firstly, to prevent the future of Ukraine being decided by Washington and Moscow alone and Europe becoming a mere spectator to a new Yalta. Secondly, to commit Trump to security guarantees for Kyiv that ensure the continuity of European defence. Thirdly, to reaffirm that state sovereignty and inviolable borders are non-negotiable vis-à-vis Putin.”