Belgium's PM warns Europe cannot deter Putin without US unity on Ukraine
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has argued that Europe cannot deter Vladimir Putin by sending arms to Ukraine. He also claimed the U.S. may not be fully aligned with Kyiv, suggesting its stance could shift in ways that leave Europe at a disadvantage.
De Croo has long opposed strict measures against Moscow. He previously spoke against using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine and warned that Europe lacks the economic power to pressure Russia without U.S. backing.
His latest remarks go further, questioning whether Washington is truly on Ukraine's side. He cautioned that without a unified European position, the U.S. might push an unfavourable deal on Europe regarding the conflict. Under President Biden, the U.S. provided strong support to Ukraine. But when Donald Trump returned to office in 2025, policy shifted. Initially, his administration delayed weapons deliveries and softened security guarantees. More recently, however, it has adjusted course—imposing new sanctions on Russia, delivering previously promised arms, and showing greater scepticism toward Russian territorial claims. De Croo now insists that Europe's best path forward is negotiation. He argues that seeking compromises with Russia remains the only realistic option.
De Croo's comments highlight deep concerns over Europe's ability to influence the war without U.S. cooperation. His call for direct deals with Russia reflects a belief that military and economic pressure alone will not resolve the conflict. The shifting U.S. approach under Trump adds further uncertainty to Europe's position.
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