Overview
- President Donald Trump told Politico that European leaders are weak, saying Europe "doesn't know what to do" on Ukraine and other challenges.
- Trump said Russia holds the stronger negotiating position in the war, renewed his attacks on EU migration as a "disaster," and urged Volodymyr Zelensky to accept the situation.
- Russian presidential adviser Kirill Dmitriev publicly endorsed Trump's remarks on X, amplifying the portrayal of European weakness.
- European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho declined to engage directly, instead affirming pride in EU leadership, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said a U.S. strategic plan did not surprise him and argued Europe and Germany must become much more independent from the United States.