'Mixed expectations': Espreso journalist on EU reactions to Trump’s presidency

Espreso correspondent Tetiana Vysotska reported the information.

“Expectations are highly varied. For example, Viktor Orbán and his ally Robert Fico clearly believe that Europe’s policy will now shift due to Trump promoting certain pro-Russian narratives. However, another group of European officials, led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa—both of whom, along with most top European politicians, were not invited to Trump’s inauguration—still anticipate that relations with the new U.S. administration will remain at a high and friendly level,” Vysotska said.

Tetiana Vysotska noted that the European Union expects the United States, under Donald Trump’s presidency, to remain a strategic partner.

“For instance, today in Brussels, a Eurogroup meeting began. This is a summit of ministers from France and the European Union. European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, for example, addressed the press, saying, ‘The United States remains a strategic partner for the European Union, and we will seek opportunities to continue this cooperation.’ Similarly, the Belgian finance minister addressed reporters, stating that, ‘Trump’s victory and the arrival of his new administration serve as a wake-up call for Europe to unite and strengthen itself, both financially and in other areas,’” the journalist reported.

She also recalled that European politicians have some concerns that Trump may alter NATO policies and withdraw the guarantees of support previously provided to member states by the United States.

“Today, by the way, a NATO North Atlantic Council meeting was also held here. Unfortunately, it was closed to journalists. However, the new European Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubilius, a strong supporter of Ukraine, participated. Later, they issued a statement to the media alongside NATO Council Secretary General Mark Rutte, emphasizing that Europe and NATO must strengthen themselves to ensure they can defend their own security. It is clear that European politicians now fear that Trump may change policies within NATO and fail to provide the security guarantees previously offered by the U.S. to NATO members,” Vysotska added.

• On January 17, NATO Military Committee Chair Admiral Rob Bauer stated that the Alliance is sharing some of the responsibility for coordinating military assistance to Ukraine with the U.S.
• On January 20, it was revealed that Trump had instructed his aides to arrange a phone call with Vladimir Putin “a few days” after the inauguration.