An unprecedented development, a rift of historic proportions is being recorded in the geopolitical camp of the West, as its two main “pillars”, the USA and Great Britain, now openly and publicly disagree regarding their policy and stance towards Ukraine and the war with Russia.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, insisting on the policy of supporting Kiev against Moscow, expressed his support for the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, after the fierce confrontation he had with Donald Trump. This is a resounding differentiation, which is estimated to lead to a review of the relations between the two historical allies and which comes to add to the rupture already recorded between Washington and the Europeans.
In this extremely negative environment for the Western camp, Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to visit the White House next week, at a time when information and reports are increasing that President Trump is considering the withdrawal of a large part of American troops from European soil, a development that, if ultimately implemented, would lead to the collapse of the European security architecture as it was formed after the end of World War II.
If nothing else, these are developments that only bring smiles to Moscow and President Putin.
Starmer supports Zelensky
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the fierce confrontation he has developed over the last 24 hours with US President Donald Trump.
In response to Trump’s statement that Zelensky is a dictator, Starmer responded that he is a “democratically elected leader” while in response to Trump’s request for immediate elections in Ukraine due to his very low approval ratings by Ukrainian citizens, the British Prime Minister – in a telephone conversation he had with the Ukrainian president – emphasized that “it was perfectly reasonable to suspend elections during wartime, as the United Kingdom did during World War II.”
Political risk in Trump meeting
Starmer’s divergence with Trump comes just days before the British prime minister’s visit to the White House, where he will have his first personal meeting with the American president. Although Starmer has stated that he wants to use this meeting to discuss US support for Ukraine, his visit to Washington has now become a huge political risk not only for US-UK relations, but also for US relations with the rest of the West.
However, Downing Street tried to “collect” the political impact of the US-UK conflict, arguing that “it is necessary for everyone to cooperate on Ukraine” and that Starmer “reiterated his support for Trump’s efforts to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine that will deter Russia from a future attack”.
Macron in the White House
And while the confrontation between Trump and Zelensky with mutual accusations… and even threats is intensifying, which implies that Washington is probably moving away from Kiev for good, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, will be in the White House for a meeting with Trump next Monday, February 24, and he declares that he is the “guarantor of support for Ukraine.” “We support Ukraine and we will take full responsibility for ensuring peace and security in Europe.
This is a fundamental interest of France and I am its guarantor,” Macron said, emphasizing that “we share the goal that President Trump shares – to end the war.”
However, he said that the following three principles should be observed:
- Ukraine must always be included and its rights must be respected
- Peace must be durable and accompanied by credible and reliable guarantees and
- European security concerns must be taken into account.
According to the White House, Trump’s meetings with Macron and Starmer are part of consultations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Terror scenario for Europe: Trump is considering the withdrawal of American soldiers from Europe
At the same time, reports and information are increasing that the Trump administration is considering the withdrawal of its military forces from Europe.
Europeans are trembling at the scenario of an order for the withdrawal of US military forces from European soil, the American television network NBC is reporting that the United States is considering the possibility of reducing its military presence in Europe due to its priorities in the Asia-Pacific region and on the border with Mexico.
Hegseth’s revelations to Zelensky
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in a private meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, announced to the Ukrainian delegation that the possibility of reducing US military potential in European countries is being evaluated by US President Donald Trump.
This information was confirmed to NBC News by five American officials and one official who is personally familiar with the meeting of the two sides. They noted that the Ukrainian delegation was “stunned” by this statement of the head of the Pentagon. Such a prospect is perceived by Kiev as a threat to its own security in the long term.
Pentagon denies
Officially, the US Department of Defense denies the fact of such statements by Hegseth. Responding to a request from NBC News regarding this information, the Pentagon press service called the information “100% false” and added that the Secretary of Defense “did not make any statements [on the subject] and did not name any deadlines for the withdrawal of American troops from Europe.”
Warning to Europe
Hegseth last week called on the EU to take responsibility for its own defense. Following these statements, Europe began to fear that Washington could reduce its military forces. However, the White House has not officially announced such plans.
Trump’s order to withdraw US troops from Europe is a source of concern for European leaders
Several European leaders fear that, given the start of talks with Moscow, the Trump administration could decide to withdraw US troops from European territory.
According to the report, “there is serious concern in many parts of Europe” about the negotiations in Riyadh, where talks between Russia and the US began.
Europeans should prepare
EU authorities are not only questioning the future of the US Ramstein air base in Germany, but also of the air force bases in Great Britain. The rest of Europe “should prepare for profound changes” if the dialogue between Washington and Moscow leads to an improvement in relations between the two superpowers.
Trump (US President): The war will end in a year from now, the end of 2025
Meanwhile, US President Trump believes that the Ukrainian conflict can be resolved within a year. This will happen if the authorities continue to adhere to the chosen course, the American leader said during a speech at the investment summit in Miami, broadcast by the White House.
“We will end this. Nobody will benefit from a Third World War and we are not that far from it, I tell you,” noted Trump, who criticized his predecessor Biden and the US Democratic Party, as, as he said, a global conflict was expected under the previous administration.
“It was at least a year away from happening. Now it’s not going to happen,” Trump said.
