A High-Profile Meeting in the Capital of the United States
The recent visit of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, to the White House was a significant event that caught everyone's attention. He was not alone; he was accompanied by some of the most powerful leaders from Europe, including the German Chancellor, the French President, the Prime Minister of Britain, the Prime Minister of Italy, the President of Finland, the President of the European Commission, and the Secretary-General of NATO.
These European giants traveled across the Atlantic to stand by the Ukrainian President in the iconic Oval Office. The scene was powerful yet a little demeaning, as all these leaders sat in a half-circle, reminding us of students in front of their school principal. It was clear that Europe was not present as an equal, but as a petitioner.
Europe’s Dependence on the US
The gathering was not an indication of Europe's strategic power but rather its ongoing reliance on the United States. This dependence on the US, and specifically, on a volatile president who enjoys reminding his allies of their inferior position, is dangerous.
Despite this, European leaders felt a need to show unity in support of Ukraine. Their hurried journey to the US was an attempt to shield Zelenskyy from further public embarrassment following his difficult meeting in the Oval Office earlier in the year.
By surrounding Zelenskyy with European leaders, there was hope that the US President might avoid another public berating. In that specific sense, the mission was a success.
The Unspoken Truth
However, the reality cannot be masked by this orchestrated display. Europe did not arrive in the US capital to discuss matters as an equal; instead, the goal was to persuade the US President not to make a one-sided deal with Putin regarding Ukraine. The primary objective of the delegation was to manage the unpredictable nature of the US President and ensure that he did not suddenly consider Ukraine as a dispensable entity.
The most significant achievement of this diplomatic mission was essentially damage control. The key promise was the endorsement of security guarantees by the US President, in coordination with Europe. However, these guarantees are merely words without substance. There are several unanswered questions such as the enforcement of these guarantees, the countries willing to send troops, and who would ensure the safety of Ukraine's skies and seas.
Europe’s Weakness Exposed
This situation highlights a fundamental truth: without the US, the EU is powerless. Europe lacks the necessary weaponry, diplomatic influence, and political unity to deter Russia independently. The continent continues to rely on American intelligence, firepower, and leadership. Any European reassurance force is nothing but a show if the US is not involved.
What was left unsaid in Washington was equally revealing. There were rumors that the US and Russian leaders had discussed territorial swaps along the current borders, which would effectively legitimize Russia’s occupation of parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
Despite repeated promises by European countries that Ukraine's borders cannot be changed by force, no one dared to confront the US President on this issue in the White House. Instead, he sidestepped the question, stating that land was "a matter for Ukraine."
The Future of European Security
Europe is aware of its dependence on the US, especially when it comes to matters of security. The leaders who traveled to the US were not there to dictate terms, but to persuade the US President and keep him engaged. Their unity was not one of partners, but of petitioners.
The dependence on the US is not a temporary situation. Europe has indeed increased its aid to Ukraine in recent years, but it still pales in comparison to US support. The reality is that without the US, NATO is empty, and this fact is well-known.
Such dependence gives the US President immense power. He can threaten tariffs, mock NATO allies, flirt with Russia, and still command their obedience, because they cannot defend themselves without him. European security rests not on strategy or institutions, but on the whims of a single man in the Oval Office.
The irony lies in the fact that Europe is aware of this situation. It recognizes that "strategic autonomy" remains a slogan, not a reality. It continues to flock to the US, hoping that the American promises, no matter how vague, will be enough.
This is not a strategy; it is dependency disguised as diplomacy.