Europe and UK Seek Military Coalition Against Putin, Hoping to Avoid Trump-Putin Alliance

Europe and the UK Seek to Assemble a Coalition to Counter Putin

Europe and the UK are working to assemble a credible military coalition that could potentially deter Donald Trump from aligning with Vladimir Putin. This coalition would require the support of NATO countries and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who needs to mend his relationship with Trump following a recent Oval Office meeting.

The plan also involves Europe and Zelenskyy developing ceasefire terms that can be presented to the US, preventing the Trump administration from making a deal with Russia that excludes Europe and Ukraine. This effort comes amidst growing concerns in European capitals about America's reliability as an ally.

British sources claim that more countries pledged contributions at a recent London summit, with Keir Starmer discussing the possibility of a coalition enforcing a ceasefire with ground troops and air forces. However, Starmer remains hesitant to announce troop contributions until countries have consulted domestically.

While the US president has not yet committed to providing the necessary backing, the UK is building a case against Putin's trustworthiness in adhering to a ceasefire. This distrust was evident in Zelenskyy's Oval Office confrontation with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Starmer and Europe stand with Zelenskyy, insisting that Russia cannot dictate the terms of a security deal. They believe any deal would require defense, and Trump's true intentions will be revealed if he rejects US involvement in a credible European plan.

However, Europe fears that Trump has abandoned them. When asked if Trump wanted Zelenskyy to resign, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated the need for a leader who can deal with the US, Russia, and end the war. He added that if Zelenskyy's personal or political motivations hinder conflict resolution, it would pose a significant problem.

Starmer also challenged Europe to move beyond promises and take action on defense spending. An upcoming EU summit will determine whether the bloc is willing to increase defense investment outside of fiscal debt limitations.

Polish President Donald Tusk believes the summit should send a clear message to Putin that the West will not succumb to his aggression. Starmer believes he has convinced Zelenskyy to revive the offer of US access to Ukrainian rare minerals, which could be the key to convincing the US to provide security guarantees.