EditAfter Alaska: a Ukrainian test for the EU
The destiny of our continent depends on the decisions European countries are taking in real time, writes Roman Rukomeda
The meeting on Alaska between Trump and Putin showed that Ukraine and European Union must clearly understand for themselves where their red lines are and for what values, principles, ideals and resources they will continue to fight despite any circumstances, writes Roman Rukomeda.
Roman Rukomeda is a Ukrainian political analyst writing exclusively for EUalive
It is obvious that security is the basic value in our current world now. It is the Alfa and Omega of all existing and future alliances, unions and networks of states and societies. The restructuring of the geopolitical landscape in Europe and wider in the globe will be around the centers that are capable and ready to provide security for themselves and their allies.
The United States remains such security provider for the NATO member-states, at least formally. In practice, we observe how President Trump meets with the bloodiest live dictator of the Europe responsible for starting the biggest war on the continent in the 21 century and for hundreds of thousands of deaths and crimes.
The red carpet for Putin in Anchorage raises the open question for all European states about the possible behavior of the U.S. in case of Russian aggression far beyond Ukraine, for example, against the Baltic states. There is no more solid confidence that U.S. is about the protection of values, democracy and freedom. Maybe it is more about concentration of power, limitation of human rights and dividing the world into zones of influences like in the 20th century?
Europe had already done a lot for Ukraine during this war. It is the true ally that supports Ukraine with financial, military, technological, social and humanitarian means. Of course, in Ukraine we would like to receive more, as there is still a strong deficit of resources for the war with such country, as Russia is backed by Belarus, Iran, Northern Korea and China. For Ukraine, after the end of massive military and financial support from the U.S. since Trump came into office, Europe remains the crucial ally and partner. Moreover, the position of Europe will define in many aspects how long Ukraine can continue this war and fight for its land, people, values and protection of the rest of Europe from open Russian military aggression.
So far, the main European political leaders prefer to have the U.S. and its President Trump as the leader of the NATO and its military alliance. But what will happen if U.S. fully stops any support to Ukraine in its war for survival against Putin’s Russia? We know that Ukraine will continue to fight, Russia will continue to attack, China will continue to observe the situation backing Russia with resources and technologies. North Korea and Iran will continue to send their war supplies and even soldiers. But what will do Europe in such situation? Will we see a joint position of the EU, or will each European state speak for itself?
This is the test for the future of the EU, its security, prosperity and survival that it has not passed yet, as the war in Ukraine continues.
Possible scenarios for the near future give us roughly several major lines. If EU and wider Europe continue to support Ukraine even in case of full US withdrawal from this war, then Ukraine continues its fight and there is a chance that in some perspective Russia will start seeking a real peace, having deep problems in its weak economy, in the social and other spheres, without any major victories on Ukrainian fronts.
The other line, if EU is not ready to continue supporting Ukraine and together with U.S. will make everything to freeze the war at the expense of Ukrainian interests, has totally different consequence for Europe. The price to be paid will be the direct aggression of Russia against the EU and NATO member-states with the main goal to destroy NATO and EU as organisations and create the new spheres of influence in the European continent between Russia, US and China. That’s why Russian propaganda suggests that a new Yalta meeting is upcoming.
Now it is a time when the destiny of our continent depends on the decisions European countries are taking in real time. They are deciding what kind of future they are choosing. It can be further struggle with Ukraine and securing just and secure peace for the continent after the end of this war. Conversely, it could be the appeasement of the Russian aggression and then the big fire of war will spread on the territory of European Union.
The EU is becoming a geopolitical player now and its decisions will influence the balance of power of the 21 century. The future is being shaped now.
Caption: French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer participate in a Multilateral Meeting with European Leaders in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 18 August 2025. European Leaders are at the White House in support of President Zelenskyy following President Trump’s meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, on August 15, 2025. EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL
Updated: August 21, 2025 - 06:35
