Former French President Urges a Unified Europe in Response to Trump's Election Win
Francois Hollande has stated that Europe's largest powers need to unite to stop the US president-elect from bringing an end to the Ukraine conflict. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The continent “must not let” the incoming US president end the Ukraine conflict on Russia’s terms, said Francois Hollande.
Former French President Francois Hollande has urged Europe’s leading military powers to come together in anticipation of US President-elect Donald Trump potentially “disengaging” from the continent.
In an interview with CNBC on Friday, Hollande characterized Europe as “a continent that is not united.”
“So what will be absolutely essential is the reaction to what Trump wants to do, particularly the US disengaging from the European continent,” he stated. He emphasized that France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom—the four main countries investing in defense—need to react collectively to issues of security, the conflict in Ukraine, and trade. “If these four countries react together, both in relation to the security issue, the Ukraine issue and even the trade issue, then Europe will be respected. Otherwise, it will be pushed aside,” he added.
Before his recent electoral win against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump indicated that he would not guarantee defense for NATO nations that do not meet the alliance’s 2% GDP defense spending target. He also promised to work swiftly to end the Ukraine conflict. While the specifics of his peace plan are not yet clear, his advisers have suggested that European allies will be expected to cover the costs of any agreement reached between Moscow and Kiev.
“Are we going to let it happen? We must not let it happen,” Hollande remarked, alluding to the danger of a potential settlement that would allow Russia to retain formerly Ukrainian territories. He cautioned that such a development would create a serious precedent where “force had prevailed over law.”
Since February 2022, the EU has provided Ukraine with approximately $127 billion in aid, complemented by an additional $14.3 billion from Britain, according to data from Germany’s Kiel Institute for the World Economy. However, the US is responsible for manufacturing the majority of weapons and ammunition supplied to Kiev, raising questions about Europe’s ability to sustain its support for Ukraine without American assistance.
Germany has been significantly impacted by rising energy costs after its decision to sever ties with Russian oil and gas imports, and its current government may face changes following elections in early 2025. Meanwhile, Britain is experiencing a considerable economic downturn after three years of challenges, resulting in depleted ammunition stockpiles that were allocated to Ukraine.
Poland, known for being NATO’s largest per-capita defense spender, remains wary of any potential rift with Washington. In 2019, when French President Emmanuel Macron proposed the establishment of a “real European army” free from US influence, Poland’s then-foreign minister, Jacek Czaputowicz, dismissed the notion, stating that his nation requires “an American presence” to effectively counter Russia.
Polish President Andrzej Duda reiterated Poland’s strong ties with the US earlier this week, asserting that the alliance represents “a guarantee of Polish sovereignty.” He added, “It is a pipe dream, which some entertain, that Europe is able to ensure its own security today.”
In addition to concerns over military support for Ukraine, EU leaders convened last week to strategize on how to address Trump’s proposed 10% tariffs on European goods. ING cautioned that “a looming new trade war [with the US] could push the euro zone economy from sluggish growth into a full-blown recession” prior to the meeting.
“It remains unclear whether Trump could indeed prompt deeper integration, given the domestic challenges many European governments face,” the banking giant concluded.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
Former French President Francois Hollande has urged Europe’s leading military powers to come together in anticipation of US President-elect Donald Trump potentially “disengaging” from the continent.
In an interview with CNBC on Friday, Hollande characterized Europe as “a continent that is not united.”
“So what will be absolutely essential is the reaction to what Trump wants to do, particularly the US disengaging from the European continent,” he stated. He emphasized that France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom—the four main countries investing in defense—need to react collectively to issues of security, the conflict in Ukraine, and trade. “If these four countries react together, both in relation to the security issue, the Ukraine issue and even the trade issue, then Europe will be respected. Otherwise, it will be pushed aside,” he added.
Before his recent electoral win against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump indicated that he would not guarantee defense for NATO nations that do not meet the alliance’s 2% GDP defense spending target. He also promised to work swiftly to end the Ukraine conflict. While the specifics of his peace plan are not yet clear, his advisers have suggested that European allies will be expected to cover the costs of any agreement reached between Moscow and Kiev.
“Are we going to let it happen? We must not let it happen,” Hollande remarked, alluding to the danger of a potential settlement that would allow Russia to retain formerly Ukrainian territories. He cautioned that such a development would create a serious precedent where “force had prevailed over law.”
Since February 2022, the EU has provided Ukraine with approximately $127 billion in aid, complemented by an additional $14.3 billion from Britain, according to data from Germany’s Kiel Institute for the World Economy. However, the US is responsible for manufacturing the majority of weapons and ammunition supplied to Kiev, raising questions about Europe’s ability to sustain its support for Ukraine without American assistance.
Germany has been significantly impacted by rising energy costs after its decision to sever ties with Russian oil and gas imports, and its current government may face changes following elections in early 2025. Meanwhile, Britain is experiencing a considerable economic downturn after three years of challenges, resulting in depleted ammunition stockpiles that were allocated to Ukraine.
Poland, known for being NATO’s largest per-capita defense spender, remains wary of any potential rift with Washington. In 2019, when French President Emmanuel Macron proposed the establishment of a “real European army” free from US influence, Poland’s then-foreign minister, Jacek Czaputowicz, dismissed the notion, stating that his nation requires “an American presence” to effectively counter Russia.
Polish President Andrzej Duda reiterated Poland’s strong ties with the US earlier this week, asserting that the alliance represents “a guarantee of Polish sovereignty.” He added, “It is a pipe dream, which some entertain, that Europe is able to ensure its own security today.”
In addition to concerns over military support for Ukraine, EU leaders convened last week to strategize on how to address Trump’s proposed 10% tariffs on European goods. ING cautioned that “a looming new trade war [with the US] could push the euro zone economy from sluggish growth into a full-blown recession” prior to the meeting.
“It remains unclear whether Trump could indeed prompt deeper integration, given the domestic challenges many European governments face,” the banking giant concluded.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
