Europe has the collective power to back Ukraine and settle this conflict on the country’s own terms

• Telegraph View
• Sept 24, 2025

Donald Trump’s latest pronouncement on Ukraine leaves the world with the familiar conundrum of working out what on earth he might mean.

The good news is that the US president believes that Ukraine “is in a position to fight and WIN”, which he defines as liberating “all” the occupied territory and restoring the country’s “original borders”. But he also declares that Ukraine must battle on with the “support of Europe” and signs off with a cheery: “Good luck to all!”

The most plausible interpretation is that Mr Trump intends to walk away from a war that his quixotic diplomacy has failed to end, leaving Europe to support Ukraine’s struggle. That prospect might chill the blood of Ukrainian president Zelensky were it not for some salient facts. Together the EU and Britain have a total GDP of £17tn – over ten times Russia’s £1.6tn. Nato’s European members will spend £420bn on defence this year – almost four times Russia’s military budget of roughly £110bn.

On paper at least, Europe possesses the geopolitical throw-weight to give Mr Zelensky all the support he needs to settle this tragic conflict on Ukraine’s chosen terms, which is the only sensible definition of victory. Europe also has plenty of concrete options to change the strategic balance in Ukraine’s favour.

Germany could, for example, supply Ukraine with the Taurus cruise missiles that Friedrich Merz promised in opposition but has failed to deliver since becoming chancellor. European governments could allow Ukraine to use the weapons that are already being supplied to hit a greater range of targets inside Russia.

One vital yet little-noticed development is that Ukraine has begun attacking the oil refineries on which Russia’s economy and war effort depend. About 30 of these plants account for 80 per cent of Russian refining capacity: half are within 600 miles of Ukraine, well inside the range of killer drones. Europe should do its utmost to help Ukraine identify and strike this kind of Russian Achilles Heel.

Above all, Europe should seize the £200bn of Russian assets lying frozen in financial institutions across the continent, mainly Euroclear in Brussels, and transfer them to Ukraine. That kind of money – about 140 per cent of Ukraine’s GDP – could have what generals call “strategic effect”.

Sir Keir Starmer should now lead a renewed European effort to back Ukraine’s struggle. Europe has the collective power; the only question is whether it can summon the will.

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Comment from:

Martin Whapshott

European and British leaders have up until now shown a complete spineless lack of courage. Rather than photoshoots with President Zelenskyy they should put our arms industries on a war footing and enable the mass production at low unit cost of our best weapons systems. We have that capability, there is no excuse for not using it. Putin doesn’t procrastinate and neither should we.

 

Andrew Taylor James

The time to strike hard is now, more economic strangulation , all the weapons Ukraine needs, they are fighting for our safety too.

A quicker victory means fewer deaths.

Putin will seek an end when he sees it is ending badly and his position becomes vulnerable.

Mark Smith

I think China should be put on notice. Fermenting a European war whilst selling us their cheap tat… makes absolute sense. Thanks Ed-milli-moron for handing strategic energy independence over to China.

Andrew Batteson

Give the Ukrainians enough Himars to not just take out the Kerch Bridge but destroy it for good, not only will that cause a massive logistics problem for the Russian meat grinder it will send a big message to Putin and his gangsterous thugs that the West now means business. It probably won’t have too much effect on Putin himself because he just doesn’t care but it will give some much wanted relief to the enormously brave Ukrainian military.

Star comment from :

Trevor Smallwood

It is time to permanently sequester the Russian money. 

Call it a down payment on reparations, call it anything you like but take the money.

The Russians will squeal like stuck pigs but that’s default to any opposition. 

In related news the Russians are arguing for a lift in sanctions to buy civil aircraft repairs and spares. 

Jake Broe pointed out these are the aircraft Russia had been leasing from a European company. Russia seized them when the war started. Essentially they were stolen.

Russia has no right to ask the west to protect their money. Spend it on arming Ukraine.

Tanya Homecat

Boycott everything out of china – the main backers/suppliers of the russian gangsters in Ukraine. Do not finance the enemies of the world.

Charles Marx

Reply to Tanya Homecat –

Pick up anything nowadays. A lot is labelled Made in China; if it’s not, you can bet your bottom $ that some part of it is. So, let’s take your argument to it’s logical conclusion – how long do you think any Western economy would last if it can’t get the parts to repair anything? That’s why BRICS told the US to get “stuffed” with it’s tariffs and sanctions; they know the reality that without Russian energy and Chinese manufacturing capacity the West would collapse. Modi just ignored the US sanctions, refused to take Trump’s telephone calls and got on the plane to Beijing to meet Xi and Putin. 

This article is ridiculous. Europe has no power and is lead by politicians at the height of their unpopularity, Macron, Starmer and Merz.

So be realistic not emotional Tanya- the UK, for example, is on the brink of bankruptcy as you must be aware. Trump is walking away and calling the EU’s bluff and letting them get on with it.

The DT’s resident ex Scotland Yard Detective Inspector:

Carpe Jugulum

Merz , Macron, Starmer. If you started the spectrum of leadership with Churchill, Reagan and Thatcher and descended the wavelengths of gravitas and ability to lead with conviction you would eventually arrive at that pathetic trio of dithering cowards.

The European NATO nations have the economic and military power to crush Russia and could enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine with ease. Unfortunately in the field of leadership we have a crop of wilting daisies.

GRAHAM REEVE

I think the Polish Deputy Prime Minister, Radosław Sikorski, put it perfectly to the Russians at the UN Security Council meeting: 

“To the representatives of Russia, I have this to say. We know you don’t care for international law and you are incapable of living in peace with your neighbours. Your insane nationalism contains a lust for domination that will not cease until you realise that the age of empires is over and that your empire will not be rebuilt. Every drone strike by the heroes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, may God bless them, brings this day closer.”

Hairy Plotter

Let’s Not Forget the Dedicated Professional OSINT’rs(1) And the equally dedicated (2)Ukrainian Partisan Movement.

(1) successfully geolocated Pantsir S-1 tryna hide at Luhansk Airport. Eliminated Today.

(2) Major drone producing factory in Belgorod. Again eliminated by AFU today. Слава Україні 🇺🇦 💪 

Victoria Martin

Please, God, help the brave Zelensky and the Ukrainian people to win against the pariah and psychopath that is Vladimir Putin.