European leaders have quickly adapted to the political reality in which the current US president is Donald Trump, regardless of their personal preferences. The clearest example of this new strategy is their positive reaction to Trump's decision to allow European countries to buy American weapons for Ukraine, coordinating with NATO, but without direct involvement from Washington. This is what Politico writes, BTA reports.
During a meeting in Washington, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, a former prime minister of the Netherlands, expressed enthusiasm to Trump: “Mr. President, dear Donald, this is really big.“
Behind the scenes, however, the reality looks different. European leaders, especially the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have already made key decisions, motivated by concerns about the escalating Russian offensive in Ukraine and by Trump’s apparent reluctance to play an active role in the conflict. German officials claim that the scheme was their idea, with Washington simply giving its consent.
“We are doing this in our own interest,” Merz said. “This is the only way to help Ukraine defend itself from Russian bombing and to increase the pressure on Moscow to come to the negotiating table.”
According to German sources, the plan is carefully tailored to Trump’s vision of international relations, which focuses on the logic of profit. If Europe buys, the United States wins, and Trump avoids conflict with the isolationist wing of his MAGA movement.
This strategy allows Washington to stay “one step behind” Europe, applying pressure on Russia through external support, without direct engagement. At the same time, Trump maintains his characteristic distance from global conflicts.
Mark Rutte noted that the Scandinavian countries, Britain and the Netherlands support the initiative. However, France refuses to join. President Emmanuel Macron insists that European countries develop their defense industry and buy mainly from it. Financial constraints also have an impact. Paris is seeking budget cuts, which makes it difficult to invest in expensive American weapons systems.
Germany is betting on quick results. Due to limitations in European production, Berlin is pushing for an urgent deal to buy American Patriot air defense systems.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the initiative, saying 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 Friedrich Merz's position is sharp. On the night of his election victory in February, he promised “a strong and independent Europe“. Today, however, he has already spoken openly about the need to trust Trump and the importance of a stable transatlantic relationship.
Pragmatism has prevailed over political ideology. European leaders now seem to follow the basic rule in communicating with Donald Trump: first praise him, then offer a plan.