“Anyone looking at Washington must understand: Europe is on its own, and we must now arm ourselves independently”Johannes Simon/Getty Images

‘Europe is on its own’ after Trump-Zelenskyy clash, EPP’s Weber says – POLITICO

by · POLITICO

BERLIN — European People’s Party (EPP) leader Manfred Weber has issued a stark warning following the explosive Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling for urgent steps toward an independent European defense policy.

“Anyone looking at Washington must understand: Europe is on its own, and we must now arm ourselves independently,” Weber told German media group Funke on Sunday. “We also need to take the first steps toward a European army. Too much time has already been wasted.”

The dramatic falling-out between Trump and Zelenskyy — culminating in the abrupt cancellation of the planned signing of a minerals deal and Trump’s refusal to reaffirm U.S. military aid — has raised alarms across Europe. EU leaders fear Washington’s shifting priorities could leave Ukraine exposed and could weaken NATO’s strategic posture on the continent.