50 European leaders assess how Trump will affect their fortunes and seek a common stance on Russia

BUDEST, Hungary — Nearly 50 European leaders on Thursday called for a stronger defense posture across the continent that no longer requires fundamental dependence on Washington, as they warmly welcomed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke to Trump after the election results, also had warm words to say about him. However, he objected to the incoming president’s claim that Russia’s war with Ukraine could end in a day.

“If it happens too fast, it will be a loss for Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

The European Political Community summit in the Hungarian capital Budapest on Thursday reassessed trans-Atlantic ties in hopes that Trump’s second US presidency will avoid the struggles of his first administration.

“He was elected by the American people. He will defend American interests,” French President Emmanuel Macron told other leaders.

“The question is whether we are willing to protect European interests. This is the only question. Macron said, this is our priority.

Time and again, leaders have come forward to say that European defense efforts must be increased.

After the summit he hosted, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said, “There was agreement that Europe should take greater responsibility for ensuring peace and security. To put it more clearly, we as Americans Can’t wait to protect us.”

During his first 2017–2021 term, Trump pushed European NATO allies to spend more on defense above 2% of GDP and be less dependent on US military cover. That point is completely sunk in.

“He was the one person in NATO who inspired us to go above 2%. And now, thanks to them too, if you remove the US numbers NATO is above 2%,” NATO chief Mark Rutte said.

Charles Michel, Council President of the 27-nation European Union, agreed that the continent needed to be less dependent on the United States.

“We have to become more masters of our destiny,” he said. “Not because of Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, but because of our children.”

During his election campaign, Trump threatened everything from a trade war with Europe to a withdrawal from NATO commitments and a fundamental shift in support for Ukraine in its war with Russia – all issues that could have serious consequences for countries across Europe. Are.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schuof said, “Of course he said a lot of things during the campaign,” adding that not all of them would be reflected in his official policies. “Trans-Atlantic cooperation is of vital importance to both US and European interests.”

For now, European leaders hope that a new start will hold the promise of warmer relations.

“I worked very well with him for four years,” said Rutte, who was Dutch prime minister during Trump’s first presidential term. He is very clear about what he wants. He understands that to get to a joint position you have to deal with each other. And I think we can do that.”

And Rutte stressed that the challenges posed by Russia in Ukraine affect both sides of the Atlantic.

“Russia is providing North Korea with the latest technology in exchange for North Korean help in the war against Ukraine. And this is a threat not only to the European part of NATO, but also to the American mainland,” he said upon arriving at the summit.

During the campaign, Trump said he could end the war in Ukraine, now in its third year, in a single day. Ukraine and many of its European supporters fear it means peace on terms favorable to Russian President Vladimir Putin and involves the surrender of territory.

European allies in NATO hope to convince Trump that if he helps with any peace talks, it should be done from a position of strength for both Ukraine and the US.

Earlier, Zelensky told reporters in Budapest that Europe and the US need each other to remain strong.

“It was a good, meaningful conversation. Of course, we cannot yet know what His specific actions will be. But we hope that America will become stronger. This is the kind of America Europe needs. And America needs a strong Europe. It is the bond between colleagues that should be valued and should not be lost,” he said.

However, he rejected Orbán’s claim that first and foremost there must be a ceasefire, underscoring tensions between the two leaders.

“First a ceasefire, and then ‘we’ll see.’ ‘Who are ‘we’?'” Zelensky said. “Are your children dying, are your homes being destroyed? What are you talking about?”

Lorne Cook contributed to this report from Brussels.

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