EU leaders tell Trump to stand up to ‘bully’ Putin as Starmer is warned Britain can’t rely on US for defence
Keir Starmer and fellow European leaders have urged Donald Trump to stand up to the “bully” Vladimir Putin as they digest the potential consequences of the historic Republican election victory.
Volodymyr Zelensky made a desperate appeal at the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest for leaders to continue their support for Ukraine war amid fears that Mr Trump will try to force a deal involving concessions.
It came as Sir Keir faces increasing pressure to prioritise a new post-Brexit defence pact with the EU, with concerns growing that Mr Trump may also dilute support for Nato and focus US military objectives elsewhere.
In his first term, Mr Trump made a point of threatening to withdraw support from Nato unless other member states began spending more on defence. And during the presidential campaign he quipped in one speech about welcoming a Russian invasion of one country which did not contribute enough.
To add to the tensions hanging over the summit, host Viktor Orban – Hungary’s prime minister – is Trump’s closest European ally and has been described as pro-Putin, pushing to end the war by seeking compromise with Russia.
The EPC summit was the first time international leaders had gathered since Trump’s remarkable victory, in which Republicans also seizing control of the Senate.
Zelenskiy attempted to play down concerns, praising Trump’s “commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs.”
In his address to the summit, he said: “The concept of ‘peace through strength’ has proven its realism and effectiveness more than once. Now, it is needed once more.”
Advocating concessions to Russia would be “unacceptable for Ukraine and suicidal for all Europe,” he added.
“Hugs with Putin won’t help,” the Ukrainian leader said in an apparent reference to pictures showing India’s Narendra Modi embracing Putin at a summit in Russia and United Nations chief Antonio Guterres shaking his hand.
Emmanuel Macron, who has long pushed Europe to build up cooperation on defence, said Europe must not become a “herbivore” surrounded by “carnivores”.
“We need to be able to defend ourselves,” the French president said. “We cannot delegate our security to the Americans forever.”
“Our role is not to comment on Trump’s election and say if it’s a good thing or not. The question is whether we are ready to stand up for the interests of Europeans.”
Macron said the continent faces a “decisive moment” and must shape its own destiny. “We have two blocs, the US on one hand and China on the other. First and foremost they will defend their now interests,” he said,
