European countries are shifting their strategic approach to supporting Ukraine in the war with Russia, moving away from traditional troop deployments and focusing instead on long-term defensive assistance without active involvement from the United States
This information was disclosed by the British tabloid The Daily Telegraph, citing sources within European diplomatic circles, who note that plans for peacekeeping missions in Ukraine are currently undergoing significant changes. According to the publication, it has become known that British and French officials have already discussed possible scenarios in case U.S. President Donald Trump refuses to support Kyiv militarily. At the same time, European leaders unanimously agreed to change priorities, delegating the main focus from deploying their own troops to developing long-term mechanisms to protect Ukraine. Specifically, the emphasis is on strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities through intelligence, economic pressure on Russia, and diplomatic efforts. Interestingly, one European diplomat emphasizes that the main obstacle remains the worry that the U.S. President might indeed follow through on his promise to step back from the role of active mediator in the conflict, as he has yet to persuade Vladimir Putin to enter negotiations. Accordingly, European countries are preparing to act independently to ensure stable support for Ukraine in a context where U.S. military aid could be limited or entirely ceased. Another key aspect of the discussions was the issue of economic pressure on Russia. European leaders agreed to enhance sanctions measures, which could significantly impact Russia’s financial and military-industrial potential. This opens the door to a more targeted policy utilizing all possible diplomatic tools to bolster Ukrainian defense without the need for large-scale military contingents. A significant decision that has received approval is the invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to participate in the upcoming NATO summit scheduled for June in The Hague. His participation had previously been in question due to his somewhat contradictory relations with Trump, who openly opposed Ukraine’s accession to the Alliance. However, European parties now see the importance of supporting his presence to demonstrate to allies unity and consensus on backing Ukraine. Amid these developments, U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg announced that representatives from the U.S., France, Germany, and the UK are expected to participate in the next round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, planned for June 2 in Istanbul. This has already attracted interest and heightened attention in Ukraine, which seeks to strengthen its diplomatic position and gain support from international partners amidst the difficult conditions of the ongoing war. Additionally, during an evening conversation on May 30 with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the possibility of future negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul, indicating Ukraine’s desire to utilize any diplomatic opportunities to de-escalate the conflict. At the same time, the Ukrainian side is carefully studying all possible scenarios for the situation’s development and seeking ways to bolster its position on the international stage, especially as a new focus on European independence and defense without U.S. involvement emerges in the foreign policy space. Thus, the situation surrounding support for Ukraine continues to become more complicated, with European countries exploring their own paths to adapt to the new realities of the war. They aim to maintain strategic balance and ensure regional long-term security without relying on U.S. military aid, which is now viewed as potentially limited or risky.