Trump slams ‘decaying’ Europe and says its leaders are ‘weak’

The US leader even had harsh words for the Ukrainian president

Speaking for Politico, Trump said that European countries, which he called “decaying”, have failed to control migration or take decisive steps in ending the Ukraine – Russia war.

They are letting Ukraine fight “until they drop”, according to Trump.

Leaders of EU countries have tried to get involved in the efforts led by the United States to help bring an end to the ongoing war.

European leaders fear that the long-term interests of the block will be undermined, and there will be a quick resolution instead.

Yvette Cooper, UK Foreign Secretary, responded to comments made by Trump and said that “strength” was all she saw in Europe, as she mentioned the funding for Ukraine and the investments made for its defence.

Referring to President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Cooper said that two presidents were “working for peace”, and that “one president, Putin, has so far simply sought to escalate the conflict with further drone and missile attacks.”

The US leader also urged Zelenskyy to “play ball” by giving territory to Russia, as he continued to increase pressure on the Ukrainian president.

On Sunday, he even suggested that Zelenskyy was the main obstacle to peace between the two countries.

Zelensky, in an update posted on X on Tuesday, said that the Ukrainian and European elements of the plan were more developed now and that Ukraine was working with Europe more actively on “all components of potential steps toward ending the war”, while later he told reporters that he believes on Wednesday, the plans would be submitted to the United States.

European leaders gathered in London on Monday to discuss the continued joint efforts to bring an end to the war, and Trump’s reaction came a day after their meeting.

President Zelenskyy met the French, German and British leaders as Kyiv’s European allies try to strengthen Ukraine’s hand in thorny talks on a U.S.-backed plan to end the war.

Asked if Europe can help in ending the war, Trump said that “they talk but they don't produce. And the war just keeps going on and on.”

In recent weeks, US officials have had separate talks with Ukrainian and Russian officials, however no agreement has been reached yet to end the war.