European leaders fret as US officials stumble over Ukraine policy

European partners are increasingly uneasy with the United States’ handling of the Ukraine conflict. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth recently dismissed the sacrifices of the Afghanistan war, and Senator Marco Rubio offered evasive comments regarding a recent interruption of Starlink service in Ukraine. Adding to the unease, President Donald Trump announced the removal of sanctions on Russia, a move that many see as undermining Kyiv’s defenses.

While some hope that the forthcoming US mid-term elections might bring a change in direction, the piece warns that partisan battles are likely to keep American foreign policy erratic. The author suggests that Europe cannot count on a swift, robust US reaction to any surprise Russian moves against NATO. Instead, European leaders may need to reassess their reliance on US support.