European leaders have doubled down on their support for Ukraine after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly halted all military aid to the war-torn country on Monday evening. The decision sent shockwaves across Europe, prompting urgent discussions on defense spending and the continent’s long-term security strategy.
The move came just hours after Trump assured reporters that he had yet to discuss a pause in military assistance and only three days after his heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. The reversal has left European officials scrambling to respond to what they see as an existential threat to the continent’s security.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wasted no time in reacting to Trump’s decision. Unveiling a new proposal to unlock up to €800 billion in additional defense spending, she described the moment as a turning point for Europe.
“We are living in dangerous times. Europe’s security is threatened in a very real way,” she said, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
The funding package, still subject to approval by EU member states, would mark a historic shift in the bloc’s approach to military investment. Traditionally reliant on U.S. security guarantees through NATO, the EU now faces the daunting task of bolstering its own defense infrastructure.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala echoed von der Leyen’s urgency, calling Trump’s move “a clear signal that Europe must take full responsibility for its own security.”
“The era of relying on others to address fundamental international challenges on our behalf is over. Now is the time for Europe to move decisively from words to action,” Fiala wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
His remarks highlight a growing sentiment among European leaders that NATO’s European pillar must become stronger and more self-sufficient in the face of uncertainty surrounding U.S. commitments.
French Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad was among the most vocal critics of Trump’s decision, warning that it would only embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“If we want peace, would halting arms supplies to Ukraine bring us closer to peace or push us further away? It would push us further away because it would only strengthen Russia’s position on the ground,” Haddad told France 2.
His argument aligns with broader concerns that a weakened Ukraine could embolden Russia to push further into Eastern Europe. Analysts warn that without sustained Western support, Ukraine could face devastating battlefield losses, potentially shifting the balance of power in Moscow’s favor.
Romanian interim President Ilie Bolojan also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to Ukraine and NATO, stating:
“NATO is our strongest defense pillar, and Romania remains a committed and reliable ally. We must step up investments to strengthen our defense capability.”
In the United Kingdom, the government has attempted to position itself as a bridge between Europe and Washington while remaining cautious in its response to Trump’s decision.
British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner declined to directly criticize Trump’s policy shift, instead emphasizing the need for continued diplomatic efforts.
“President Trump is a different politician to me and different to Keir [Starmer], but the one thing I have seen is that our prime minister, Keir, is able to have that constructive dialogue, and he will do that with integrity,” Rayner said on Good Morning Britain.
Downing Street’s muted response reflects the UK’s balancing act between maintaining its “special relationship” with the U.S. while aligning with European allies in supporting Ukraine.
The fear that Europe is being left to fend for itself was echoed by Dutch politician Frans Timmermans, a former EU climate chief and now leader of the Dutch Labor-Green alliance. He condemned Trump’s move as “reckless” and accused the U.S. president of appeasing Russia.
“Unbelievable. With this reckless action, Trump is putting the security of Ukraine and the rest of Europe at risk. This is not a peace strategy; this is bowing to Putin. It is up to Europe to show leadership and fill the gap,” Timmermans wrote on X.
French Socialist MEP Raphaël Glucksmann went even further, warning that Europe is now alone in facing Russian aggression.
“We are alone today, we Europeans. We are alone in the face of war on European soil, alone in the face of the war in Ukraine, alone in the face of Putin. And we must urgently understand how vertiginous this moment is,” Glucksmann told BFMTV.
He called for a fundamental shift in EU defense policy, arguing that the continent must build its own military capabilities instead of relying on Washington.
- A European Military Awakening?
Trump’s decision could serve as a catalyst for major changes in European defense policy. For years, the EU has debated the need for a joint military force, but disagreements among member states have prevented significant progress. Now, with the U.S. stepping back, the political will for such an initiative may finally materialize. Von der Leyen’s proposed €800 billion in defense spending could lay the groundwork for a more independent European security framework.
- NATO’s Future in Question
The suspension of U.S. military aid raises new questions about NATO’s future. While Trump has not formally withdrawn the U.S. from the alliance, his decision to halt assistance to Ukraine signals a shift in priorities that could undermine the bloc’s unity. Some analysts believe that a weakened NATO would embolden adversaries like Russia and China, potentially reshaping global power dynamics.
- Ukraine’s Survival at Stake
For Ukraine, the consequences of Trump’s move could be dire. Without continued military assistance, its ability to resist Russian forces will be severely compromised. Kyiv has already begun urgent appeals for alternative sources of weaponry, looking to European nations to fill the gap.
Trump’s decision to halt military aid to Ukraine has sent shockwaves across Europe, forcing leaders to confront the longstanding issue of European defense dependency.
While condemnation of the move has been swift, the real challenge now lies in Europe’s ability to take meaningful action. Will the EU step up and take control of its own security, or will internal divisions prevent it from mounting an effective response?
One thing is certain: this moment marks a turning point in transatlantic relations—one that will shape the future of Europe’s security for years to come.
