Implications of Donald Trump’s Victory for Ukraine
The recent victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election has ushered in a wave of uncertainty regarding the future of Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict. Throughout his campaign, Trump made headlines with his bold assertion that he could “end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours” if he were to secure the presidency. This has raised concerns among experts, who fear that a hastily arranged agreement could be signed, potentially to the detriment of Kyiv.
Vassilis Ntousas, the Head of European Operations at the German Marshall Fund’s Alliance for Securing Democracy, expressed his apprehensions to Euronews, stating, “Mr. Trump has signalled his willingness and capacity to secure a super quick peace deal, which may require Kyiv to concede to Russian demands that it is unwilling to accept in order to bring an end to the conflict.” This perspective has ignited a debate within the corridors of the European Parliament, where reactions to Trump’s victory are decidedly mixed.
Among those who express optimism is António Tânger Corrêa, a far-right Portuguese Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the Patriots for Europe party. He is hopeful that Trump’s presidency will pave the way for a swift resolution to the war in Ukraine. However, he emphasizes the importance of bolstering Europe’s own defensive capabilities. He stated, “I hope he’ll stop the war in Ukraine and that everybody likes the solution, number one. And we are not involved in that. As you know, we support Ukraine, but we are not directly involved in that.”
Additionally, Corrêa argued for increased investment in Europe’s defense industry, noting, “You don’t have to go to war to have defense, but you prevent wars by having good defense.” This sentiment resonates with many who believe that Europe must strengthen its own military capabilities in light of a potentially isolationist American foreign policy.
In contrast, Belgian MEP and former Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, representing the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), advocates for Europe to take charge of its own security and defense policies. He lamented, “There has not been a determination to be cutting edge in terms of new technologies and defense, with regards to our citizens’ own security.” He pointed out the continent’s heavy reliance on the United States within NATO, asserting, “Today, we are totally dependent on the United States within NATO for our security. We must have our own capabilities. We are friends of the United States, but I don’t want to be the poodle of the United States.”
While some may find this perspective difficult to accept, others in Brussels are viewing Trump’s victory as a crucial wake-up call. It serves as an impetus for Europe to finally take the initiative and establish a more autonomous approach to its own security and defense strategies.
