Key Points
- Trump criticised Europe, calling it “decaying” and its governments “weak,” especially over migration and Ukraine.
- He questioned Ukraine’s democracy, urging the country to hold elections despite the ongoing war with Russia.
- European leaders are concerned that Trump’s plan to end the war could force Ukraine to give up territory.
In a recent interview with Politico, conducted on Tuesday night Australian time, former President Donald Trump expressed strong opinions about the current state of European nations. “Most European nations are in decline. They’re decaying,” Trump asserted.
He criticized Europe’s handling of immigration, stating, “They don’t want to send them back to their countries of origin.” Trump further elaborated, “I think they’re weak, but they also want to be so politically correct.”
Turning his attention to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Trump was critical of Europe’s involvement. “They talk but they don’t produce. And the war just continues indefinitely,” he remarked.
The former president’s comments highlight the growing tensions between the U.S. and European allies over his proposed strategy to end the conflict. Many European leaders are concerned that Trump’s approach could force Ukraine to concede territory to Russia.
Meanwhile, European allies of Ukraine demonstrated their support in London on Monday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine has “no right” to surrender territories claimed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The US and its European allies are increasingly at odds over Trump’s plan to end the war, which many European capitals fear will force Ukraine to hand over territory to Russia.
Trump calls for elections in Ukraine
His comments came as Ukraine’s European allies expressed solidarity with Ukraine in London on Monday, with Zelenskyy maintaining Ukraine has “no right” to cede the territories claimed by Putin to Russia.
Fresh elections were included in the draft US plan to end the war.
