Trump criticism of European leaders as ‘weak’ comes at the worst time

While it’s been clear to Europe for some time that U.S. President Donald Trump is not the biggest fan of the region, the president’s latest tirade against the continent’s leadership will sting — particularly as the bloc strives to show more decisiveness and authority.

Trump has once again provoked outrage among his European allies, describing them as “weak” and leading a “decaying” region in an interview with Politico published Tuesday. Criticizing the region’s response to immigration and the war in Ukraine, Trump said: “I think they don’t know what to do.”

That comment will be jarring for Europe after its efforts in recent days, weeks and months to support Ukraine, be it militarily, diplomatically or financially — efforts which Trump has frequently downplayed.

Instead, Europe has had to watch on as U.S. officials have held talks with their Russian and Ukrainian counterparts on a draft peace plan for Ukraine, without a seat at the table. That’s despite the fact that the resolution of the almost four-year war — and what shape that takes — is seen by analysts, and European leaders, as critical for the region’s future security.

Indeed, Trump’s comments came just a day after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in London to meet European leaders to discuss joint efforts to end the war. The leaders stressed the need for security guarantees for Ukraine in any peace deal, and expressed their opposition to Ukraine having to cede territory to Russia as part of an agreement, as has been demanded by Russia.

Trump has vacillated on the issue, previously suggesting Ukraine would have to give up land and then suggesting Kyiv could win back lost territory.

European leaders this week also discussed the thorny issue of future funding for the country, which is a bugbear for Trump. The leaders said “positive progress” had been made on using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, although such a move faces hurdles and opposition from some countries in the EU.

Trump appeared unmoved by Europe’s diplomatic efforts, of late. When Politico asked him whether Europe could help end the war, he said: “They talk but they don’t produce. And the war just keeps going on and on.”