When President Emmanuel Macron of France and Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Great Britain arrive at the White House this week, they do so under the shadow of a trans-Atlantic crisis more profound than any faced in decades.
Their host, President Donald Trump, has reignited fears of Western disunity with his inflammatory comments about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The playbook for dealing with Trump is well-thumbed by now—lavish state dinners, grand military parades, and flattery aimed at appealing to his sense of stature. Yet, the stakes have rarely been higher, and this time, the old tricks may fall short. Macron and Starmer must navigate not only Trump’s unpredictable temperament but also his evolving worldview, which threatens to upend the very foundation of Western security.
An Alliance in Peril
Since World War II, the trans-Atlantic alliance has served as the cornerstone of European security. Yet Trump’s recent remarks branding Zelensky a “dictator” and his willingness to negotiate directly with Putin have left European leaders questioning the future of NATO and the West’s united front against Russian aggression.
“This is the moment of truth,” said former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who clashed with Trump during his first term. “They simply have to have the steel to stand up to Trump and tell him what they think, namely, that siding with Putin against Ukraine is a devastating blow to America’s prestige and standing in the world.”
Turnbull’s warning underscores the gravity of the situation. Efforts to charm or cajole Trump, he argued, would likely be futile. “If the price of getting along with Trump is abandoning your allies, that is too high a price to pay.”
New Challenges, New Approaches
Both Macron and Starmer face the delicate task of balancing firmness with diplomacy. French officials have voiced concerns that Trump might push for a premature ceasefire in Ukraine, potentially celebrating it with Putin in Moscow on Victory Day—a move that would symbolize Putin’s diplomatic rehabilitation.
In response, Macron is expected to seek security guarantees from Trump, advocating for a European deterrent force involving countries like Sweden, Denmark, and the Baltic states. The French president’s strategy hinges on leveraging Trump’s self-image as a dealmaker while warning him that weakness against Putin would be out of character and against American interests.
Starmer, meanwhile, is likely to emphasize Britain’s readiness to bolster European defense. Ahead of his Washington visit, he signaled support for increasing British military spending and floated the possibility of contributing troops to a Ukrainian peacekeeping force. Yet his challenge lies in avoiding direct confrontation over Trump’s criticisms of Zelensky.
Walking a Diplomatic Tightrope
Seasoned diplomats caution against getting drawn into debates over Trump’s disparagement of Zelensky or the origins of the Ukraine conflict. Gerard Araud, France’s former ambassador to Washington, suggested that the best approach would be to appeal to Trump’s vision of himself as a peacemaker. “It would be a mistake for the Europeans to argue with Trump about who started the war, or whether Zelensky is a dictator. That is a non-starter for a Trumpian approach,” Araud said.
Instead, Macron and Starmer will need to frame their arguments around broader strategic concerns, particularly the implications for U.S.-China relations. As Nigel Gould-Davies of the International Institute for Strategic Studies noted, “If you make peace or impose peace in Europe and on Ukraine, on terms favorable to Russia, that actually makes it harder for you to deal with China.”
A Changed Man in a Changed World
Complicating matters is the fact that Trump is not the same leader he was in 2017. No longer the political outsider, he now sees himself as a seasoned statesman surrounded by loyalists who reinforce his most radical instincts. As Araud put it, “Now he thinks he knows everything, he’s more radical on the substance, and he is surrounded by yes-men.”
This evolution makes it more challenging for European leaders to shift Trump’s narrative that the U.S. has been conned into supporting an unpopular, undemocratic Ukrainian leader. Nor will it be easy to persuade him of the risks involved in making concessions to Putin.
The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
The stakes of this diplomatic dance are enormous. Trump’s willingness to undermine Zelensky and his pursuit of a direct dialogue with Putin threaten not only Ukraine’s sovereignty but also the unity of the Western alliance. If Trump succeeds in driving a wedge between Europe and the United States, the geopolitical ramifications could be catastrophic.
Macron has signaled his intention to confront Trump, stating last week, “I’m going to say to him, basically: ‘You can’t be weak against President Putin. It’s not you, it’s not your trademark, it’s not in your interest.’”
Starmer, for his part, has remained tight-lipped about his strategy, though British diplomats expect him to emphasize Britain’s military commitments as a way of positioning the UK as America’s most reliable European ally. Kim Darroch, Britain’s former ambassador to Washington, argued that such an approach could resonate with Trump. “Trump doesn’t do gratitude,” Darroch observed, “but you will at least get some recognition that you are the most forward-leaning of the European countries about buying into his idea of a peace deal.”
A Critical Moment in History
This week’s meetings will test whether Europe can preserve the trans-Atlantic alliance in an era of mounting geopolitical complexity. Macron and Starmer must walk a fine line, remaining firm in their principles while appealing to Trump’s ego and strategic ambitions. Their success—or failure—could shape the future of Western security for years to come.
As the world watches, the stakes could hardly be higher.
This article was originally published on EU Global News.
