U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised European leaders as weak, warning that many European countries could become non-viable if current trends continue. He also suggested the U.S. might reduce its support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
In a detailed interview with Politico, Trump described Europe as “decaying,” accusing its governments of failing to control immigration and lacking the will to end the war in Ukraine. He accused them of permitting Kyiv to “fight until they drop.”
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper responded by praising Europe’s resilience, pointing to increased defence spending and continued aid to Ukraine. She said, “I see strength in Europe” and contrasted the efforts of Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who she said were “working for peace,” with Vladimir Putin, who she accused of escalating the conflict.
Trump pressed Zelenskyy to agree to a peace deal involving territorial concessions to Russia, a position that has sparked controversy. Zelenskyy said Ukraine and European partners are actively working on proposals to end the war, with plans soon to be submitted to the U.S.
Trump’s comments followed a recent London summit where European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ending the conflict. When asked if Europe could help resolve the war, Trump dismissed their efforts, saying, “They talk but they don’t produce.”
Despite ongoing U.S.-led diplomatic talks with Ukraine and Russia, no peace agreement has yet been reached. Zelenskyy has appealed to NATO and European leaders to prevent the U.S. from backing a deal Kyiv fears would undermine its security.
Trump also criticised Kyiv for delaying elections, claiming the war is being used as an excuse. “You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore,” he said. Zelenskyy responded that he is ready to hold elections within 60 to 90 days if security can be guaranteed.
Highlighting ideological divisions, Trump said some European leaders are weak and overly politically correct, uncertain how to act. His remarks coincided with the release of the U.S. National Security Strategy, which warned of Europe’s potential “civilisational erasure” and questioned the reliability of some European allies. Russia welcomed the document, noting it avoided casting Moscow as a threat.
Trump condemned Europe’s immigration policies as disastrous but praised Hungary and Poland for managing migration well. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called parts of the U.S. strategy understandable but rejected the notion that America must “save democracy” in Europe, asserting that Europeans can address their challenges independently.
Trump’s latest criticism echoes earlier remarks at the United Nations, where he denounced Western Europe’s positions on immigration and clean energy, warning they harm both stability and economic performance.