Mar 5, 2025
President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office on Feb. 28. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Europe’s far-right leaders are divided over President Trump‘s approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war.Why it matters: Trump’s embrace of Russian President Vladimir Putin and coinciding about-face on U.S. assistance to Ukraine has caught even some of his reliable allies on the continent off guard.
What they’re saying: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen condemned the “brutality” of the U.S.’ decision to halt aid to Ukraine in an interview with Le Figaro published Tuesday.
- Dutch populist leader Geert Wilders — often referred to as the “Dutch Trump” — said Saturday that he and his far-right Freedom Party (PVV) support Ukraine “with conviction,” the Brussels Times reported.
- Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stressed Sunday the importance of Western unity when it comes to Ukraine and reaffirmed Italy’s support for Ukraine.
The other side: Others have endorsed Trump’s approach.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán backed Trump emphatically and praised the economic benefits of bringing Russia back into the Western fold, AP reported.
- Alice Weidel, one of the co-leaders of the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, posted on X about the contentious White House meeting, writing, “Historic. Trump & Vance!”
Catch up quick: Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office last week, before pausing military aid to, and intelligence sharing with, Ukraine this week.
- The Trump administration has also thrown cold water on prospect of a U.S.-led peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, insisting instead on the need for European peacekeeping forces to secure peace in Ukraine.
- Meanwhile, the U.K. and French governments have pledged to commit troops to such a peacekeeping force.
The big picture: Trump’s first month in office has upended America’s long-held alliances in Europe and reshaped the post-World War II international order.
Go deeper: What’s behind Trump’s views on Ukraine and Russia
She forgot Nigel Farage; a 20 year putler arselicker and of course Trumpkov’s right hand man in the UK. He’s seriously gone off script for the first time; insisting that Ukraine must join Nato and berating Trumpkov’s “Zelenskyy’s a dictator” nonsense.
As for the others : Le Pen and Wilders’ softening on Ukraine are both a welcome surprise.
Meloni has always been supportive of Ukraine, but most regrettably has contributed very little to Ukraine relative to the size of her economy.
She also refuses to send troops.
The big issue now is Merz: can he move quickly and decisively by supplying Taurus and sending troops?
Can the guidance system of Taurus operate without US cooperation?
I recently hear about Le Pen’s surprising remarks. I must say that it’s a pleasant change of pace to hear positive statements from these far-right people. Have they found their morals and dignities again?
It seems that they were awakened to reality and know what’s now at stake since that fat orange felon slithered into the White House again.
Of course, the hard-core Nazis in Germany and Hungary are still stuck in stupidity.