There’s been much talk about Europe’s awakening, but it seems that alarm is sounding off through Trump’s ‘slaps.’ On Friday, the U.S. president delivered an unprecedented reprimand to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, accusing him of ingratitude, “playing with World War III,” being unprepared for peace, and failing to sign an agreement granting Washington access to Ukrainian rare earth minerals.

In what felt more like a trap than a diplomatic meeting, the Oval Office became a direct message to Europe: The EU and partners like the UK and Norway must now face the reality that they are left to support Kyiv alone. France has already issued a warning: “It’s time to move from words to action.”

Europe Left to Stand Alone

If Trump pulls away from Ukraine, the responsibility to continue aid will fall on Europe. It’s a difficult challenge but not an impossible one. According to data from the Kiel Institute, as of December 31, 2024, the EU, alongside the UK and Norway, carries the bulk of the financial support for Kyiv, while Washington takes on more of the military assistance.

This has been the case since Russia’s invasion, though it’s evident the EU is unprepared to shoulder the full American commitment if the U.S. stops providing aid. However, Europe could quickly rally support from other partners to fill the gap.

Over the past three years, European donors have provided a steady flow of aid to Ukraine, amounting to roughly €80 billion annually. Since 2022, European countries have been the primary source of assistance to Ukraine, particularly in financial and humanitarian aid.

Europe’s Show of Solidarity

Despite Trump’s harsh words, European leaders continue to express unwavering support for Zelensky. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, as well as Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, have all reinforced the message that Ukraine is not alone.

Similarly, leaders like French President Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez, and German Chancellor Scholz, along with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, have conveyed a unified front. Yet, even as these affirmations of solidarity are made, Trump’s harsh tone is no longer just a warning—it’s a clear and direct message.

Accusations and Ultimatums

Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of “seeking World War III” and criticized his refusal to sign an agreement allowing the U.S. to exploit Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. “You’re just doing propaganda tours,” Vance said to Zelensky.

Trump even defended Vladimir Putin, questioning Zelensky’s approach: “Do you think it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States and attack the administration that’s trying to prevent the destruction of your country?”

The meeting reached a boiling point when Trump ended it, telling Zelensky, “We’ve given you the power to be tough. You either make a deal, or we leave. Right now, you don’t have the cards in your hand. You’re playing with the lives of millions, playing with World War III.

And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country.” He warned again, “Your people are very brave, but either you make a deal or we leave. If we leave, you’ll have to fight on your own, and I don’t think that’s going to be pretty.”

Europe’s Response and the Need for Action

Trump’s ultimatum seems to suggest that Europe now finds itself at a crossroads. The continent must figure out how to respond to Washington, keeping the support for Ukraine intact while navigating the challenges of scaling up that support.

Leaders are set to meet in London this Sunday ahead of the European Council meeting on March 6 in Brussels, where key decisions will be made, including an urgent military aid package for Kyiv and realistic proposals for increased defense spending.

The ultimate goal is for the EU to be able to sit at the negotiating table. As the situation stands, if Europe isn’t present at the table, it will be a battle between two—Trump and Putin—against one—Zelensky. This is a moment when Ukraine doesn’t hold the upper hand on the frontlines.

The EU has always called for “a firm and lasting peace” to prevent Putin’s maneuvers from being repeated. This distrust is not just general but is also based on concrete examples, like Macron reminding Trump that Moscow had violated the Minsk Agreements multiple times since 2014.

The Shift Toward European Defense Autonomy

Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, Europe has already stepped into the era of defense, but it has seen this mainly as an industrial strategy. Now, it seems Europe will have to go further. With the U.S. stepping back from its role in securing Europe, Brussels acknowledges that more ambitious actions are necessary.

Among these could be the issuance of joint debt for military investments, an idea supported by Spain. Additionally, the European Commission has announced it will activate the “escape clause” for deficit and debt rules, allowing member states’ defense investments to be excluded from the fiscal calculations.

A Solo Effort

The first step is clear: Europe must continue supporting Ukraine, even if it means doing so alone. But the bigger picture is far more complicated. Trump has already told Europe it needs to take responsibility for its security. Initially, he hinted at this, but now he has made it a firm statement.

The confrontation with Zelensky wasn’t just about that—it was also a message that transatlantic relations might be permanently broken. Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative, couldn’t have been clearer: “It’s clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us Europeans to accept this challenge.”

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