**Ukraine Gains from Trump-Zelensky Showdown**
US President Donald Trump and US Vice President JD Vance met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on February 28, 2025. The meeting was tense, but it had some positive effects for Ukraine.
At first, it seemed like a disaster for Ukraine. Trump and Vance were aggressive towards Zelensky, making it clear that they stand with Russia. This meant that Ukraine would have to adapt its strategies and seek other options. However, this exposure of the US position has now been made public, which means that Washington can no longer be seen as a neutral arbiter in peace talks.
**Europe Steps Up**
The White House debacle forced Europe to take the initiative in peace talks. The result is that any future peace deal is more likely to be in Ukraine’s favor and more durable. Trump was casual about Ukraine’s security concerns, but Europe can now put them front and center.
The four-point peace plan proposed by the UK, along with Britain, Italy, and France leading the way, seemed pragmatic: arm Ukraine, give it the tools to defend itself, push for a one-month truce (focused on air and sea), and only then move toward a full ceasefire. Europe has made clear that Ukraine needs security guarantees – and the arms to enforce them.
**Europe’s Wake-Up Call**
The White House fiasco should be Europe’s final wake-up call: NATO as we knew it is dead, the US security guarantee for Europe is over, and if Europeans care about their own defense, they need to act. European defense spending will increase, but the continent still faces capacity constraints in military industries.
**Turkey Takes the Lead**
Turkey has stepped up at the Lancaster House summit over the weekend. With an 800,000-strong land army, Turkey is the only European NATO power capable of putting tens – if not hundreds – of thousands of troops on the ground in Ukraine. It also has the manufacturing scale to help bridge Europe’s defense production gaps.
**The U.K. is Back**
Whether intentionally or not, Britain has found itself thrust into the peace process. The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer played a blinder over the weekend, proving adept at talking to the US, Europe, and Ukraine alike. The UK’s first-class diplomatic skills are back in play.
**The Global South Takes Note**
Zelensky stood up for the little guy. Imagine losing hundreds of thousands of people to Russian war crimes – murdered, raped, kidnapped – only to be told to say “thank you” to the US for its aid. The Global South will take note – and likely side with Ukraine.
**A Strategic Disaster for Beijing**
The events in Washington made one thing clear: the US is aligning with Russia against China. That’s a strategic disaster for Beijing. China needs to make more friends in Europe – now. And Europe should reciprocate. It’s time to show the US that it is not Europe’s only option.
**Read More**
To read the full op-ed, visit [kyivindependent.com](http://kyivindependent.com)