The United States has reviewed. Can Europe stop Putin alone? | European Union

The United States was once the most important ally of Ukraine – providing weapons, financing and political cover as Kiev fought for its sovereignty. But today, Washington loses attention. President Donald Trump, at home at the golf course more than the war room, is away from the conflict that he no longer cares about.

Trump did not hide his contempt. He echoed the Kremlin’s novels, and asked about the importance of NATO and reduced Ukraine’s defense to a line. Even his recent comment that Russian President Vladimir Putin “was not completely crazy” he did little to retreat from years of indulgence and indifference.

The peace broker has not become reliable or a fixed supporter of Ukraine. His words now carry a little weight – and Kyiv pays the price.

Only last week, Ukraine launched what was called Spiderweb, a coordinated chain of drones in the depth of Russian territory. Dozens of aircraft were destroyed at airports, and the main military infrastructure was disrupted. The White House quickly denied any American involvement. Trump responded by threatening again to “move away” from the war.

Shortly later, the second round of peace talks collapsed in Istanbul. The only agreement reached was a bleak one: the exchanging residue of 6000 soldiers fell. This may help close sad families – but he did nothing to change the course of war.

Trump’s late suggestion – which was transferred by White House press secretary Caroline Levit – is that he supports direct talks between Ukrainian President Voludmir Zelinsky and Putin more like a political theater than diplomacy. The moment has already passed.

Trump – not Zelinski – is the one who now lacks the leverage. As the United States retracts its traditional security leadership, the burden is decisive to Europe.

Despite the brutality of Russia’s invasion in 2022, US officials often treated Kyiv as a pressure aspect and Moscow as an aspect of recovery. European leaders pushed back – but mostly in words. They have published pledges of “fixed support”, but they hesitated to obtain a full ownership of defense in Europe.

Now, with US military aid to slow down and Trump continues to move away from the war, Europe faces a historic account.

For the first time in nearly 80 years, the continent stands alone. The future of NATO – the coalition created after the Second World War to ensure collective defense – is a question. Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression is increasingly dependent on European guarantees.

Can Europe meet the moment? Can a loose coalition from countries wishing to a strong security bloc develop? Can you do this without the United States?

As of early 2025, Ukraine was meeting with 40 percent of its military needs, according to the Security and Cooperation Center in Kiev. Europe provided 30 percent and the United States by 30 percent. To keep the battle, Europe must now do more – quickly.

The alternative will be disastrous. The Kiel Global Economy Institute estimated that if Russia will occupy Ukraine, it may cost Germany alone 10 to 20 times more than maintaining current support levels – due to refugee flows, energy instability, economic turmoil, and defense risks.

One of the most urgent Ukraine needs is ammunition – especially artillery shells. Until recently, the United States was the main resource. With the decline in US delivery, Ukraine is burning through its reserves. Europe is now scrambling to fill the gap.

The problem is the range. The arms industry in Europe has always been backward. It only started to respond. According to European Union Defense and Space Commissioner, Andrews Cubelius, the bloc aims to produce two million artillery shells annually by the end of 2025. This is only my sword with the requirements of the battlefield in Ukraine.

The ambitious initiative in particular is a plan to lead the Czech Republic to buy and deliver up to 1.8 million shells to Ukraine by the end of next year. Czech President Peter Paville confirmed in May, supported by Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark and other countries, the effort is one of the few on the correct path to make a meaningful effect – if it arrives on time.

Germany has also exceeded donations. In late May, Defense Secretary Boris Petorius signed an agreement with his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustum Umerov, to produce long -range weapons inside Ukraine, and benefit from local industrial and engineering capacity.

The UK is still one of the most reliable allies of Kiev. On Wednesday, London announced a new drone package of 350 million pounds ($ 476 million)-part of the broader support pledge 4.5 billion lbs ($ 6.1 billion). It includes 100,000 drones by 2026, a significant increase in previous obligations.

But the war does not confuse with weapons alone. Financial and economic authority is also important.

Trump recently told Fox News that US taxpayer money was “angry” in Ukraine. Not only was the observation raw – it was also misleading.

Since 2022, the United States has provided about $ 128 billion to help to Ukraine, including $ 66.5 billion of military aid. Meanwhile, the European Union and its member state of about 135 billion euros (155 billion dollars), including 50 billion euros ($ 57 billion) of military support, 67 billion euros ($ 77 billion) of financial and humanitarian aid, and 17 billion euros (19.5 billion dollars) for refugee programs. The United Kingdom added 12.8 billion pounds ($ 17.4 billion).

These are not gifts. They are strategic investments – aimed at preventing much higher costs if Russia succeeds in its imperial project.

Europe also led to sanctions. Since 2014 – with renewed urgency since 2022 – 17 consecutive rounds have been imposed on the Russian economy. No one ended the war, but each of them affected.

On May 20, one day after a warm invitation between Trump and Putin, the European Union and the United Kingdom revealed the most severe sanctions package so far. It included nearly 200 ships from the Russian Shadow fleet, and used to smuggle oil and circumvent global prices.

Some estimates, including AI’s modeling, indicate that sanctions may cost Russia $ 10 billion to $ 20 billion annually if the gaps are closed and execution is executed. Even partial implementation would disrupt Moscow’s revenues in wartime.

“The longer Russia is in the war, the more striking our response,” European Union. Europe has begun to support this promise to work.

From drones to shells, sanctions to weapons production, the continent finally moves from data to strategy – slowly but stabilizing the foundations of Ukrainian flexibility and Russian defeat.

But this momentum cannot stop. This is no longer just the war of Ukraine.

The United States climbed aside. Europe is no longer a backup plan. It is the last defense line. If it fails, as well as Ukraine – and with it, the idea of ​​safe Europe and sovereignty.

The opinions expressed in this article are the author of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the editorial island.