Donald Trump wants to end US help for Ukraine fast‚ which means Europe needs to step-up its game. The current US aid (about $60-billion) makes up half of Ukraineʼs foreign support‚ and losing it would hit hard
The EU isnt sitting idle though: theyʼve given more than $133-billion since the war started (which is more than Americas $91-billion total package). Their aid includes weapons economic help and a promise to let Ukraine join the club someday
- 4 million refugees got homes in EU countries
- $45-billion went to military stuff
- They stopped buying most Russian gas and oil
- They put tough rules on Russian business
Ursula von der Leyen‚ the EU boss shows she can lead when things get rough – she handled covid-19 like a pro and helped Europe stop using Russian energy. Now she might need to do even more: run a world-wide effort to help Ukraine (since many non-EU countries like Japan and Australia want to help too)
Some problems are popping up though: Viktor Orban from Hungary dont like the plan‚ and other EU leaders are having their own troubles. Olaf Scholz in Germany is running a weak government; Emmanuel Macron in France isnt doing great either
Estonia has a good idea: make NATO countries give 0.25% of their money to Ukraine (like Baltic states do). The EU could also use its big budget better – theres about $400-billion for 2021-27 that could help fix roads and buy dual-use stuff like drones
Denmark is doing something smart: theyre putting money right into Ukraineʼs weapon factories. It costs less than buying from others and helps Ukraine build its own defense business. Belgium likes this idea too; its a win-win deal
Europe needs to work as one team – not 27 separate players. They might even try to make a deal with Trump: maybe buy more US weapons if he stays tough on Russia. Either way Europeʼs time to lead is here; they cant wait for others to decide what happens next