The gathering of European leaders in Washington represents a critical test of the continent’s resolve. In the face of immense pressure from their most powerful ally, they have united to support Ukraine and oppose a peace plan they deem unjust and dangerous.
This “bodyguard” mission for Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a defining moment for European foreign policy. The leaders are standing up to Donald Trump’s attempt to bully a smaller nation into ceding territory, making a powerful statement about Europe’s commitment to its own security and values.
The resolve is personified by figures like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has urged Trump not to act “over the heads of Europeans,” and French President Emmanuel Macron, who has dismissed the plan as a “non-starter.” Their firm stances, backed by the collective weight of the EU, show a continent willing to assert its interests.
The presence of leaders from smaller states like Finland, and ideologically diverse countries like Italy, reinforces this message. It demonstrates that the resolve to protect Ukraine is not confined to a few big players but is a widely held conviction across Europe, even if it means confronting the President of the United States.