In recent months, one external force has been exercising a magnetic pull on Europe’s collective identity. Widespread speculation has attributed this influence to former U.S. President Donald Trump. The dynamics of European unity have shifted significantly, particularly during a significant gathering in Washington where seven leaders convened, including Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. When hearing their discussions as a whole, you could feel the urgency that was needed for Europe to come together against challenges brought by threats from outside.
The biblical and historic meaning of the number seven, a symbol of completion, perfection and rest, aptly summarizes what this conclave will be. Seven leaders—of NATO, the European Commission, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Finland—met. Together, they formed a collective to make their individual voices heard. Each leader delivered a two-minute address, echoing a unified message about the pressing need for solidarity amidst ongoing tensions.
Never before have the actions of a President-elect caused such a stir across the Atlantic, forcing European leaders to rethink their strategies and coalitions. His vanity, disloyalty and obvious contempt for the prevailing order of liberal democracy have all turned out to be the European alarm clock Europe so desperately needed. The message is clear: the stakes have never been higher.
European nations have responded, with remarkable swiftness and unity, to the new threat from Russia. They heavily nourished Ukraine’s military by instituting 18 rounds of sanctions packages. This remarkable degree of unity only underscores how contentious and bitter Europe’s debate over Ukraine’s fate proved to be. For the last three and a half years, that discussion was rancorous and divisive. Now Europe is turning its attention to the United States’ vital provision of security guarantees for Ukraine. This transformation marks the clearest, most aggressive alignment by member states yet.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb expressed well the pervasive European feeling about Europe’s tendency to wait and react. He stated,
“First there’s a crisis, then there’s chaos. And in the end, you arrive at a suboptimal solution.” – Alexander Stubb
This maxim rings true as Europe attempts to define its ongoing response to the new and constant geopolitical challenges that surround it. The leaders’ meeting in Washington represented both a moment of European diplomacy rarely seen today — a time when solidarity is more important than ever.
Over the course of these discussions, it was clear that the tides are shifting, and momentum is building towards creating a tangible peace framework for Ukraine. The concept of land concessions appears increasingly inevitable as European leaders converge on the need for a practical solution to the conflict. Their individual and combined actions are needed now, as the cost of failure simply cannot be borne. The possible repercussions would be catastrophic for all parties at stake.
Fulfilling the seven-member format used throughout the meeting, it was a powerful demonstration of how different viewpoints from around the world can come together to form a shared story. Though distinct in their own accents and nuances, each of their leaders’ expressions of solidarity and determination rang similar bells, creating a thrilling chord of defiance.