European leaders have quickly learned to work with the U.S. president who is actually in power — Donald Trump — rather than the one they would prefer. The clearest example of this new strategy is the enthusiastic reaction to Trump’s decision to allow European countries to buy U.S. weapons for Ukraine, in coordination with NATO, without direct involvement from Washington, writes "Politico".
In Washington, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, a former prime minister of the Netherlands, told President Trump with visible enthusiasm: "Mr. President, dear Donald, this is really big."
But the reality is different. European leaders - especially German Chancellor Friedrich Merz - have already made the key decisions, driven by concerns about the escalating Russian offensive in Ukraine and Trump's reluctance to take a leading role in the conflict. German officials even claim that the scheme was their idea and that Washington simply accepted it.
"We are doing this in our own interest," Merz stressed. "This is the only way to help Ukraine defend itself from the Russian bombing campaign and to increase pressure on Moscow to negotiate peace."
According to German officials, the plan is consistent with Trump's way of viewing international politics - through the financial prism of "win-lose". If Europe buys, the US wins, and Trump does not risk an open clash with the isolationist wing of his MAGA movement.
The strategy, Berlin says, allows the US to "stay one step behind the Europeans" by putting pressure on Russia without direct engagement. At the same time, Trump maintains the external distance that marked the first months of his term.
Rutte said that the Scandinavian countries, the UK and the Netherlands support the scheme. France, however, is absent from the list. Paris refuses to participate, as President Emmanuel Macron insists that European countries develop their own defense industry and buy from it.
Financial difficulties also play a role - France is trying to cut its budget and limit a growing deficit, which is hindering investment in American weapons.
However, Germany is betting on speed: due to limitations in European production, Berlin is pushing for a deal to buy American Patriot air defense systems. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed this initiative, writing on the social network X: "There will be deliveries of other weapons to protect the lives of our people and repel Russian attacks."
The turn in Merz's rhetoric is sharp. On the night of his election victory in February, he promised to "build a strong and independent Europe". Today, he speaks openly about his faith in Trump and the need for a strong transatlantic relationship.
Real politics has prevailed - the German government has chosen pragmatism over confrontation. And European leaders already know the first rule when it comes to dealing with Donald Trump: praise the man.