…On Feb. 6, the #Trump #Pentagon said it was passing leadership of the group to #Britain.
The Pentagon referred questions about continuing support to #Ukraine to the British ministry of #defense.
“A just & lasting peace is only possible if we continue to show strength & provide Ukraine w/the support it needs to defend itself against continued Russian aggression. There will be no letup in our support, which we will continue for as long as it is necessary,”a spox for the ministry of defense said…
#Germany’s president, Frank-Walter #Steinmeier, on Saturday sharply criticized #Trump over the WH meeting w/ President Volodymyr #Zelensky on Friday, saying that #Europe must #StandWithUkraine & prevent the country “from having to accept subjugation.”
“The scene at the White House yesterday took my breath away,” Steinmeier said. “I would never have believed that we would ever have to defend Ukraine from the #UnitedStates.”
#geopolitics #ForeignPolicy #NewWorldOrder
https://nordot.app/1268569760790692163
#Hungary's #Orban urged the #EU to start direct discussions w/ #Russia on a ceasefire in #Ukraine & drop plans for a joint declaration at an extraordinary EU #summit.
Orban said there are "strategic differences in our approach to Ukraine that cannot be bridged".
"I am convinced that the European Union - following the example of the #UnitedStates - should enter into direct discussions w/Russia on a ceasefire & sustainable peace in Ukraine," Orban, a #Trump ally, said.
#CzechRepublic PM Petr Fiala says "#Europe faces a historic test" & has to be able to take care of itself: "Nobody else will do it."
#Fiala said Saturday that Europe has to increase its #military support for #Ukraine & European countries have to increase their arms spending to reach "at least" 3% of GDP.
"If we don't increase our effort fast enough & let the aggressor dictate its conditions, we won't end up well," he said.
#geopolitics #NewWorldOrder #Russia #US
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/european-leaders-back-zelenskyy-trump/
#Slovakia populist PM Robert #Fico repeated his country won't provide #Ukraine any military or financial support that would help it fight #Russia. Fico also demanded that an emergency EU summit in Brussels on Thurs agree to a call for an immediate ceasefire, "which is something that President #Zelenskyy & a majority of #EU member states refuse to do." Fico said his country also wants the summit to specifically request Ukraine to reopen the transit of Russian #gas to #Europe.
#Poland's President Andrzej #Duda has called on #Zelenskyy to return to the negotiating table in order to ensure the #security of his country, arguing that only the #UnitedStates is able to stop #Russia aggression. Duda is a strong supporter of #Ukraine & has friendly ties w/ #Trump.
"Volodymyr Zelenskyy should return to this table, sit calmly at this table, remain calm, negotiate a solution that will make Ukraine safe," Duda said.
[He knows that if Ukraine falls, Poland is next]
French minister of the armed forces says #France's #nuclear deterrent will remain the prerogative of the country's president as #Europe’s leaders mull ways to bolster their #security amid *uncertainty* over #US support. Sebastien Lecornu posted a clarification on social media after French president Emmanuel #Macron said he was ready to open discussions on a possible European nuclear deterrent.
#geopolitics #Zelensky #Ukraine #Putin #Russia #Trump #UnitedStates #NewWorldOrder #ForeignPolicy
Future #Germany leader Friedrich #Merz has suggested that #Britain & #France could "share" their #nuclear weapons in the future.
German Foreign Minister Annalena #Baerbock said "a new era of nefariousness" had begun in the wake of #Trump's treatment of #Zelenskyy at the White House, but vowed that it would only increase her country's commitment to #Ukraine.
#geopolitics #Russia #UnitedStates #NewWorldOrder #ForeignPolicy
"Many of you will have slept fitfully tonight in the face of the unspeakable videos from the White House. Frankly, so did I. Unfortunately, this was not a bad dream, but a violent reality," #Germany’s #Baerbock said. "Our horror is greater today than before, but so is our commitment to the people of #Ukraine, to our own #security & to #peace in #Europe."
She described Ukraine as "part of free & #democratic Europe" & said there is no question who the aggressor is & who is "the brave defender.”
