(Warsaw) – European powers are preparing to increase their support for Ukraine should the United States decide to cut its assistance, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced after a key summit in Warsaw.
Sikorski’s comments came after a meeting held on November 19 with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the UK, and Spain, as well as the incoming EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. The discussions focused on Ukraine’s ongoing crisis and the role Europe could play in supporting Kyiv, particularly in light of potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy under the new administration.
During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump had frequently criticized the level of U.S. aid to Ukraine and called for a suspension of support. While Trump has softened his stance on Ukraine since taking office, some of his political allies have continued to push for a full halt to U.S. military and financial aid to Kyiv. Sikorski’s statement reflected growing concerns in Europe over what such a move would mean for Ukraine’s ability to continue its fight against Russian aggression.
The Warsaw summit served as a platform for European leaders to discuss how the continent could increase its own contributions to Ukraine, especially in a scenario where U.S. support may be reduced. Sikorski emphasized that the leaders were committed to making sure Ukraine did not face a deficit in military and financial support, should the U.S. choose to scale back its involvement.
“We discussed possibilities to strengthen support for Ukraine. In this context, I am grateful for the willingness of the largest EU countries to shoulder the burden of military and financial support for Ukraine in light of a potential reduction in US involvement,” Sikorski explained after the summit.
The summit came just ahead of an extraordinary session held by the European Parliament, which marked 1,000 days since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. During this session, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a keynote address, where he expressed his gratitude for the European Union’s ongoing support. He also highlighted the collective strength of Europe in standing against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions.
Sikorski’s comments and the discussions at the Warsaw summit underline Europe’s growing recognition of its responsibility in securing its own stability and ensuring Ukraine’s survival. The ongoing crisis in Ukraine has exposed the challenges of European security, especially as the U.S. plays a more unpredictable role under its new administration.
The summit participants underscored that a more balanced distribution of NATO defense spending was necessary, signaling a shift toward greater European responsibility in regional security matters.