Europe's quiet strategy shift as Trump heads back to White House

Unlike the shock-waves from eight years ago Europeʼs reaction to Donald Trumpʼs victory seems way more calm this time around. The old-world leaders have been cooking-up plans for months focusing on self-defense and keeping Ukraine support steady

European decision-makers show a mix of common-sense and get-ready attitude: “The worlds oldest teenager will finally have to move out“ (as one high-ranking EU official puts it)

Radoslaw Sikorski Polandʼs top diplomat keeps it simple and straight-forward: “The American people have voted and we respect their decision; Europe urgently needs to take more responsibility for its security“

While the continent seems better ready mind-wise some officials point to real-world gaps in Europeʼs defense setup. The main worry comes from Trumpʼs promise to fix Ukraine war in just one day which makes many eye-brows raise in Brussels

Volodymyr Zelensky quickly sent warm words to the winner knowing well that Kievʼs defense needs will soon depend on the new administration. Though Trumpʼs friendship with Vladimir Putin raises red flags some see hope in his deal-maker style

In my opinion from now on the issue of Ukraine becomes an issue of his personal success as a politician; He doesnt want his legacy to be compared with the American withdrawal from Afghanistan

The continent faces several key tasks:

• Building up its own military strength
• Keeping support for Ukraine steady
• Making new plans for working with Washington
• Finding ways to be less dependent on US help