**Opinion: Donald Trump Could Be Good for Europe**
The US presidential election is over, and the results are in. Despite being a convicted felon, a provocateur, and a walking scandal, Donald Trump has won again. Many people are worried about what this means for Europe.
**A New Approach to Ukraine**
One issue that could benefit from Trump’s unpredictability is the war in Ukraine. The Biden administration gave plenty of attention to this issue, but it didn’t lead to an outright victory for Ukraine. In fact, it may have even hurt Ukraine more.
Trump has a different approach, and it’s not all bad. He sent anti-tank Javelin missiles to Ukraine, which helped them defend themselves against Russia. This is in contrast to the Obama administration, which refused to sell lethal arms to Ukraine after Russia invaded its territory.
**A Silver Lining**
While Trump’s motives may be questionable, his actions could have a positive impact on Europe. The EU has been waiting for an excuse to invest in its own defense industry and become less reliant on US aid. Now, with Trump’s unpredictability, they finally have the motivation to do so.
Poland is already leading the way, with plans to spend 5% of GDP on defense by 2025. Why can’t Germany and the rest of Europe follow suit? If properly armed, the EU could defend its eastern flank without relying on US support.
**A New Era for Europe**
The war in Ukraine has shown that a common defense policy is necessary. The COVID-19 shock already reshaped the EU for the better, proving that it’s possible to incur debt and finance investments. Now, with Trump’s pivot away from Europe, the EU finally has the chance to take control of its own defense.
Let’s not be fatalistic about this situation. There are some positive developments that could come out of a Trump presidency. Perhaps Poland’s president, Andrzej Duda, who is aligned with Trump’s right-wing populist leanings, can help lead Europe in a new direction.
**Conclusion**
We don’t have any excuse not to tackle our own problems. The leadership crises in Germany, France, and Spain have brought Poland and Italy to the fore. With many allies and a budget 10 times larger than Russia’s, Europeans can easily take care of themselves as long as they maintain a united front.
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