Trump: Europe and NATO alone are responsible for the Ukraine issue
In fiery remarks before the global economic and political elite gathered in Davos, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to his "America First" policy, declaring a firm stance on the Ukrainian crisis. Trump asserted that full responsibility for the Ukraine issue should lie with NATO and European countries, not the United States, citing geographical differences and the significant costs incurred by Washington.
Sharp criticism of the American role in the conflict
During his speech, Trump questioned the value of continued heavy US involvement in the conflict, asking, "What does the United States gain from all this work, from all this money, other than death, destruction, and enormous sums of money?" He added, in a sharp tone of reproach, that these resources were going to parties who did not appreciate American efforts, addressing his remarks directly to European leaders and NATO.
Trump based his argument on geographical distance, explaining that a vast ocean separates the United States from the conflict zone, making the issue a purely European concern in his view. This statement reflects Trump's consistent political doctrine, which has long criticized what he considers the "exploitation" by allies of the American security umbrella without providing fair financial and military contributions. This, he argues, would leave the continent facing unprecedented security challenges should American support diminish.
Conflicting reports about Zelensky's meeting
Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounded the arrangements for a potential meeting between Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky. While Trump announced his intention to meet Zelensky in Davos, initially indicating Wednesday and then suggesting Thursday, the Ukrainian presidency denied that Zelensky was even in Switzerland, asserting that he was in the capital, Kyiv.
This discrepancy in information reflects a state of diplomatic uncertainty and raises questions about the level of coordination between the two administrations in light of the new American policies.
Ukrainian fears of declining international interest
For his part, the Ukrainian president expressed deep concern about the potential decline in international attention to his country's plight, which he described as facing a "large-scale war." Zelensky's concerns stem from Trump's raising of peripheral issues, such as his declared intention to annex Greenland, which could divert global attention from the existential threat facing Ukraine.
Observers believe that Trump's statements in Davos could constitute a turning point in the course of transatlantic relations, as they put Europe to a real test of its ability to manage its security crises independently, at a time when battles are still raging on the eastern front.
