Trumps tough Ukraine War diplomacy exposes Europes leaders, shows very few alternatives

Trump’s tough “America First” diplomacy on the Ukraine War is exposing European leaders for failing to act — and they’re now scrambling to come up with a plan to support Ukraine and broker a deal to end the brutal three-year conflict on their continent.Two rough proposals have emerged ahead of a crucial meeting of Europe’s leaders this Thursday — though they’re both short on details and support in the bloc.UK prime minister Keir Starmer outlined a “coalition of the willing” that would see British troops and others keeping the peace.France has suggested a one-month “partial truce” that would still allow fighting to continue on the bloody frontlines of the war.

Both plans would likely require the support of the US military in order to be in any way enforceable.“If the US were to withdraw, the biggest challenge would be the time it’ll take for Europe to get its defense production going, which will likely take one or two years to accomplish,” Kateryna Stephaneko, the Russian Deputy Team Lead and Analyst from the Institute for the Study of War, told The Post.“There is a need for Europe to unite to tackle this challenge since — it’s important to note — Russia does not want to negotiate.Moscow has made it clear that it is not willing to make any concession,” Stephaneko said.European leaders are now rushing to act as an emergency intermediary to health the rift between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Trump after last Friday’s fiery Oval Office showdown.Under a proposal floated by France, a short-term truce would test whether Russia is actually committed to a cease-fire.“Such a truce on air, sea and energy infrastructure would allow us to determine whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is acting in good faith when he commits to a truce.

And that’s when real peace negotiations could start,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday.However, European diplomats — including in the UK— qui...