EDITOR'S CORNER: Wake up, Europe! Wake up!

As America once again proves itself to be an unreliable partner, one question looms larger than ever: What will Europe do?  

This weekend brought a whirlwind of developments—Zelenskyy’s tense interactions with Trump, the shifting stance of U.S. leadership, and the critical meeting in London where European leaders had to confront a harsh reality. With trust in America eroding, will Europe finally take decisive action? Can the continent afford to wait and see, or is it time to forge a new path?  

In this blog post, I’ll break down what happened over the weekend, what was discussed behind closed doors in London, and what it all means for the future of Europe’s security, autonomy, and relationship with the U.S.  

A FIGHT FOR THE HISTORICAL BOOKS 

On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House for a crucial meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The agenda was clear: security guarantees and the much-debated mineral agreement, a deal that would grant the U.S. 50% of profits from all mineral transactions in Ukraine. While the terms were widely seen as extortionate, Zelenskyy was willing to play into Trump’s business instincts, hoping it would secure continued American support for Ukraine.  

But things quickly spiraled out of control. What was meant to be a routine White House pool spray—typically a brief, controlled media appearance—turned into an unplanned, chaotic 50-minute press showdown. The atmosphere soured when Senator J.D. Vance blindsided Zelenskyy with pointed, aggressive questions. Caught off guard, Zelenskyy took the bait. That was all it took for Trump to get visibly frustrated and jump into the fray, escalating tensions even further.  

What was meant to be a diplomatic exchange turned into a spectacle—one that may have lasting consequences for U.S.-Ukraine relations.  

EMERGENCY MEETING OF EUROPEAN LEADERS     

After this debacle, an outpouring of support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy came from all corners of the globe. While no one called out Trump directly, it was clear that Western allies had once again been left in the lurch. This latest crisis has reignited pressing and recurring questions among Europeans: Can we trust Trump? Can we still rely on America as we once did?

The answer is increasingly obvious: No, we can't!

As previously stated, the rules-based global order is dead—now, that reality is undeniable. The real question is: What will Europe do next?

Some key developments emerged from the recent meeting in London. Europe is moving to fast-track the strengthening of its defense capabilities. The EU Commission is exploring ways to grant member states more fiscal flexibility, allowing them to secure the necessary funds to expand their arsenals and bolster their military personnel. In response, European defense companies have seen their stock prices soar, anticipating a surge in production. Meanwhile, U.S. defense stocks—such as Lockheed Martin—are plummeting, reflecting shifting global priorities.

Europe is waking up. The old security paradigm is gone, and a new era is beginning. The question now is not just how Europe will respond, but whether it can truly stand on its own.

Europe is also considering forming a "Coalition of the Willing," led by the UK, to deploy troops on the ground and aircraft in the skies over Ukraine once a ceasefire is agreed upon. This signals Europe’s intent to take a far more active role in shaping the future of the conflict.  

Crucially, Europe is positioning itself at the forefront of peace negotiations in Ukraine—a necessary and overdue step. If the U.S. expects Europe to shoulder greater responsibility for this war, then it must also recognize a fundamental truth: any peace talks must first be led by Ukraine, and then by Europe.   

CONCLUSION

Every bit of diplomacy helps. I fully support negotiations and resolving conflicts at the table rather than on the battlefield. But for Europe, the time for just talking is over. We are at a critical juncture where we must arm now, step up, and take charge. If we don’t, the situation will only spiral further out of control. Putin will not stop—we know his imperial ambitions all too well.  

The old rules-based order is no longer reliable. Even NATO’s security umbrella can no longer be taken for granted. Europe must stand on its own two feet. This doesn’t mean turning the U.S. into an adversary, but it does mean putting Trump in the place he deserves—on the sidelines.  

I hope Europe wakes up, and fast. We must act, and fast. We won’t just talk—because endless talk leads to war. The phrase "Si vis pacem, para bellum" has never felt more true or more relevant: "If you want peace, prepare for war."