EDITOR'S CORNER: Can Europe Keep Ukraine at the Centre of West's Agenda?

The White House summit on Monday gathered U.S. and European leaders to reaffirm support for Ukraine and coordinate transatlantic strategy. Ukraine remains the key test of unity, as Washington and Europe work to align on military aid, economic backing, and diplomacy amid rising political pressures and diverging priorities.

More than a photo-op, the summit was a measure of whether the West can hold together under strain—from Russia’s aggression to internal divisions—especially in the shadow of Trump’s disastrous meeting with Putin in Alaska. In this blog post, let’s unpack the drama behind the stagecraft and what it means for the future of Western unity.

  EUROPE CRASHES TRUMP’S SHOW

When Zelenskyy arrived in Washington, he didn’t come alone. Behind him came a delegation of Europe's most influential leaders: Britain’s Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Olaf Scholz, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Finland’s Alexander Stubb, plus EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO’s new Secretary-General, Mark Rutte. 

Europe's leadership was visibly disturbed on Monday, after Trump had rolled out the red carpet for Putin in Alaska. 

This meeting in Washington was Europe’s attempt at damage control. Their main reason to come was to ensure things go smoothly for Zelenskyy and maybe to twist Trump’s arm away from Putin's sphere of influence. 

This wasn’t just symbolism. It was a deliberate show of strength meant to remind Trump that Ukraine isn’t his personal bargaining chip.

WHY EUROPE SHOWED UP IN FORCE

Europe has more at stake in Ukraine than the U.S. ever will. Russia’s war isn’t thousands of miles away—it’s on the EU’s doorstep. The fallout has already reshaped European politics: from soaring energy costs, to massive refugee inflows, to the revival of defense budgets once thought politically impossible.

So why the dramatic display in Washington? Three reasons stand out:

1. FEAR OF A TRUMP–PUTIN DEAL - European leaders have seen this before, with WWII when America and the Soviet Union decided Europe's fate at Yalta. They are weary that Trump will sell Ukraine out for an "Art of the Deal" moment with Vladimir Putin. Alaska was just a taster. There is also the fear that gaining territory in Ukraine without any consequences will embolden Putin to try it in other countries, such as NATO's own territory. 
2. PROTECTING UKRAINE’S LEVERAGE - Zelenskyy is fighting a war on two fronts—one against Russia, and another against global war fatigue. Europe wanted to make clear that Kyiv won’t be pushed into a corner by Trump’s theatrics.
3. PREVENTING DIVISION - With Trump dangling vague "security guarantees" outside of NATO, European leaders needed to show a united front, or risk fracturing into competing national policies. They are perfectly aware that once NATO appears divided, it's game over. It's already obvious from Hungary that there is division between the nations. 

 THE CRACKS BENEATH THE UNITY

On stage in Washington, the optics were powerful: Europe standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. Yet behind closed doors, fault lines are evident. France and Germany, the bloc’s traditional anchors, often pull in different directions—Paris champions "strategic autonomy" while Berlin insists on rooting decisions in NATO. Post-Brexit Britain, meanwhile, relishes being Ukraine’s loudest cheerleader, sometimes overshadowing Brussels and testing its relationship with the EU. Although, it looks like Stalmer is promising more to Ukraine than he can actually deliver. 

Southern Europe adds another layer of complexity. Leaders like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni may show loyalty abroad, but at home face populist pressures fueled by war fatigue, inflation, and anti-Ukraine rhetoric. Even at the EU level, Ursula von der Leyen strikes a hawkish tone, but her authority ultimately depends on the willingness of member states to follow through. 

Europe can project unity for the cameras, but sustaining it—across budgets, weapons shipments, and shifting domestic politics—is far more difficult. That challenge is even sharper now, as rising living costs, growing unemployment, and the strain of other global crises compete for attention with Ukraine. The war in Gaza, for instance, has already diverted focus.

TRUMP’S CALCULATED CHAOS

The other wild card here is Trump himself. His disdain for Europe is not exactly subtle. He’s spent years mocking NATO, attacking the EU as a "bureaucratic disaster," and cozying up to leaders who openly want the European project to fail. His vice president, JD Vance, even launched a broadside against Europe’s supposed lack of freedom—while carefully ignoring the authoritarianism of Russia and China.

So when Trump floats "security guarantees" for Ukraine, it’s not really about defending Kyiv. It’s about shifting responsibility onto Europe while keeping his options open with Moscow. To him, Ukraine is leverage. And the Nobel Prize is the prize.

Which is why Europe’s intervention in Washington was so significant. For once, they weren’t just reacting to Trump—they were confronting him head-on.

For Zelenskyy, the Washington summit was a rare diplomatic win. He walked away with promises of a massive U.S. weapons package—valued around 90 billion dollars, including air defense systems and aircraft—and reassurances of continued European support. More importantly, he gained a shield against Trump’s pressure campaign, at least temporarily.

But here’s the hard truth: Ukraine’s future can’t be secured by photo-ops. What matters is whether Europe keeps showing up with real resources—money, weapons, energy relief—and whether it can outlast both Russian aggression and Western fatigue.

Unity is powerful on paper. But without sustained commitment, it risks becoming just another performance.

 CONCLUSION

The Washington summit was Europe’s moment to prove it can act as more than just a collection of national governments. For a day, at least, the EU and NATO stood together, shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, daring Trump to sideline them.

The question now is whether that unity can survive the grind of war, the pressure of domestic politics, and the unpredictability of an American president chasing headlines and Nobel prizes.

For Europe, Ukraine isn’t just about defending a neighbor—it’s about proving it can be a strategic actor in its own right. If Brussels can keep Ukraine at the center of the West’s agenda, it will mark a historic shift in Europe’s role in global security. If not, the Washington summit will be remembered as a photo-op that papered over the cracks while the foundations continued to crumble.