EU Leaders Received No Ukraine Commitments from Trump, According to WSJ
US President-elect Donald Trump has been “noncommittal” regarding Ukraine during discussions with EU leaders, who are seeking ongoing financial support for Kiev. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
EU member state leaders are making efforts to convince US President-elect Donald Trump to continue supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, which cites anonymous sources.
Trump achieved a significant victory over incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent election, with Republicans also gaining control of the US Senate and expected to maintain a majority in the House. Following the election, various EU leaders have reached out to congratulate him.
According to the Journal's report on Friday, "Trump has been noncommittal on Ukraine in the calls, mainly listening and asking questions," as noted by anonymous officials with knowledge of the discussions.
The leaders attending the 'European Political Community' summit in Hungary this week are reportedly split on their approach to Ukraine. During a dinner at the Budapest parliament on Thursday, leaders from the Baltic states and Scandinavia pressed for increased support for Kiev should Washington reduce its backing. In contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni appeared less supportive.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who hosted the summit, has called on Trump to pursue a cease-fire in Ukraine promptly, while Slovakian PM Robert Fico has also advocated for peace.
European Council President Charles Michel shared with reporters that the bloc has attempted to explain to Trump that showing “weakness with Russia” would convey an incorrect message to both China and the wider world. The previous day, Macron reportedly urged Trump to secure “real concessions” from Russia in any negotiations regarding Ukraine.
During the summit, Macron stated, “our interest is that Russia doesn’t win this war… Because if it wins, that means that there will be an imperialist power lined up on our borders.”
Finnish PM Petteri Orpo emphasized the need for the summit to send a "clear message" to Trump that “we support Ukraine as long and as much is needed.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked at the EPC summit that he remains uncertain about Trump’s intentions but asserted that Kiev should determine its agenda for resolving the war. He also pressed the EU to release approximately $300 billion in frozen Russian sovereign assets should US support diminish, claiming that the funds “rightfully belongs” to Ukraine.
The WSJ recognized that Ukraine remains “overwhelmingly dependent on foreign military assistance and budgetary support” from Western allies.
Since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022, the US has provided Ukraine with $106 billion, including $70 billion for military assistance, along with an additional $70 billion designated for various US activities linked to Ukraine. The EU has contributed a total of $133 billion in financial, humanitarian, refugee, and military aid, while both Norway and the UK—though outside the EU—have also invested billions in support.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
Trump achieved a significant victory over incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent election, with Republicans also gaining control of the US Senate and expected to maintain a majority in the House. Following the election, various EU leaders have reached out to congratulate him.
According to the Journal's report on Friday, "Trump has been noncommittal on Ukraine in the calls, mainly listening and asking questions," as noted by anonymous officials with knowledge of the discussions.
The leaders attending the 'European Political Community' summit in Hungary this week are reportedly split on their approach to Ukraine. During a dinner at the Budapest parliament on Thursday, leaders from the Baltic states and Scandinavia pressed for increased support for Kiev should Washington reduce its backing. In contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni appeared less supportive.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who hosted the summit, has called on Trump to pursue a cease-fire in Ukraine promptly, while Slovakian PM Robert Fico has also advocated for peace.
European Council President Charles Michel shared with reporters that the bloc has attempted to explain to Trump that showing “weakness with Russia” would convey an incorrect message to both China and the wider world. The previous day, Macron reportedly urged Trump to secure “real concessions” from Russia in any negotiations regarding Ukraine.
During the summit, Macron stated, “our interest is that Russia doesn’t win this war… Because if it wins, that means that there will be an imperialist power lined up on our borders.”
Finnish PM Petteri Orpo emphasized the need for the summit to send a "clear message" to Trump that “we support Ukraine as long and as much is needed.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked at the EPC summit that he remains uncertain about Trump’s intentions but asserted that Kiev should determine its agenda for resolving the war. He also pressed the EU to release approximately $300 billion in frozen Russian sovereign assets should US support diminish, claiming that the funds “rightfully belongs” to Ukraine.
The WSJ recognized that Ukraine remains “overwhelmingly dependent on foreign military assistance and budgetary support” from Western allies.
Since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022, the US has provided Ukraine with $106 billion, including $70 billion for military assistance, along with an additional $70 billion designated for various US activities linked to Ukraine. The EU has contributed a total of $133 billion in financial, humanitarian, refugee, and military aid, while both Norway and the UK—though outside the EU—have also invested billions in support.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
