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Former U.S. President Donald Trump has characterized European leaders as “weak” and hinted at a potential reduction in U.S. support for Ukraine.
In a comprehensive interview with Politico, he asserted that “decaying” European nations have failed to manage migration effectively or take decisive steps to resolve the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, accusing them of allowing Kyiv to fight “until they drop.”
European leaders have sought to establish a role in the U.S.-led efforts to end the war, expressing concerns that a swift resolution could undermine the continent’s long-term interests.
In response, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper countered that Europe demonstrates “strength,” citing investments in defense and financial support for Kyiv.
She further stated that two presidents were “working for peace,” referencing Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while “one president—President Putin—has so far simply sought to escalate the conflict with further drone and missile attacks.”
Trump continued to pressure Zelensky to agree to a peace agreement, urging him to “play ball” by ceding territory to Moscow. Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Zelensky later posted on X, stating that Ukraine and Europe were actively working on “all components of potential steps toward ending the war,” indicating that the Ukrainian and European elements of the plan were now more developed and that Kyiv was prepared to present them to “our partners in the US.”
Trump’s latest public criticism of Europe follows a meeting of European leaders in London to discuss their ongoing joint efforts to halt the fighting in Ukraine.
When asked if Europe could contribute to ending the war, Trump said, “They talk but they don’t produce. And the war just keeps going on and on.”
U.S. officials have held separate discussions with Ukrainian and Russian officials in recent weeks in an attempt to mediate an end to the war. To date, no agreement has been reached.
Ukraine’s president has urged European and NATO leaders to help dissuade the U.S. from supporting a deal that Kyiv fears would leave it vulnerable to future attacks.
On Sunday, Trump suggested, without providing evidence, that Zelensky was the primary obstacle to peace.
He told reporters that Russia was “fine” with the peace plan outlined to both sides by the U.S., which contained significant concessions for Ukraine and which allies feared would leave it vulnerable to a future invasion.
In the Politico interview, he claimed Ukrainian negotiators “loved” the U.S.-backed proposal and alleged Zelensky had not yet read it.
Trump also reiterated previous calls for Kyiv to hold elections and claimed it was “using war” as a reason not to do so.
He stated, “You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore.”
Zelensky’s five-year term as president was scheduled to end in May 2024, but elections have been suspended in Ukraine since martial law was declared following Russia’s invasion.
Speaking to reporters after Trump’s comments, Zelensky said he was “ready for the elections” and he would request proposals to be drafted that could amend the law.
He told reporters that elections could be held in the next 60 to 90 days if security is guaranteed with the support of the U.S. and other allies.
In the Politico interview, Trump also asserted that ideological divisions now threaten to fracture Washington’s alliances with Europe.
Asked whether leaders he viewed as weak could still be allies, he replied, “It depends,” adding, “I think they’re weak, but I also think that they want to be so politically correct. I think they don’t know what to do.”
The president’s remarks followed the release of his administration’s new 33-page National Security Strategy, which warned of Europe’s potential “civilizational erasure” and questioned whether some nations could remain reliable allies.
Russia welcomed that strategy—which did not portray Russia as a threat to the U.S.—as “largely consistent” with Moscow’s vision.
Trump also warned on Tuesday that many countries in Europe “will not be viable countries any longer” if they continue on their current path, adding, “What they’re doing with immigration is a disaster.”
He singled out Hungary and Poland as doing a “very good job” on immigration, but said most European nations were “decaying.”
Responding on Tuesday to the strategy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said some parts were plausible and some understandable, but other elements were unacceptable from a European perspective.
He rejected the notion that the U.S. needed to “save democracy” in Europe, asserting that Europeans could address such issues themselves.
The strategy also echoed similar rhetoric to Trump’s speech to the UN earlier this year, where he sharply criticized Western Europe and its approach to migration and clean energy.
The campus was placed on lockdown as authorities responded to “an active aggressor”.
He died in an accident away from Ukraine’s front lines on Tuesday, the Ministry of Defence says.
The US president takes another swipe at Sir Sadiq Khan, describing him as a “disgusting mayor”.
The president has repeatedly blamed Democrats for lingering economic challenges, and has recently increased his focus on the cost of living. The BBC’s White House correspondent, Bernd Debusmann, explains.
The US president will hold an event in Pennsylvania, where he is expected to address the key issue of affordability.
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