Feb 17 • 01:00 UTC 🇧🇷 Brazil Folha (PT)

Trump makes Europe bear the cost of support for Ukraine

The article discusses how Donald Trump's policies have shifted the burden of supporting Ukraine onto European nations amidst ongoing geopolitical transformations.

A week before marking four years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the article highlights the significant impact this conflict has had on global geopolitics. It emphasizes that the war has reintroduced the use of military force in international relations, a concept that had been largely absent in Europe since World War II. The article points out that Donald Trump's presidency has profoundly influenced this global disorder, especially as he has asserted that he could end the war in just 24 hours by cutting off unconditional aid to Ukraine.

As of 2025, shortly after Trump's return to the White House, it is noted that he has dramatically reduced direct financial support to Ukraine, as evidenced by data from the German Kiel Institute. The analysis shows that only the remnants of the aid from Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, were sent early in the year, amounting to R$ 2.9 billion, in stark contrast to R$ 283.3 billion provided in 2024, primarily in military support. This drastic shift has put pressure on European nations to increase their own support and funding for Ukraine as they navigate the ongoing conflict and its implications for regional stability.

The article underscores the duality of Trump's promises: while he claims to bring a swift end to the war, the consequences of his policies have led to greater tensions and expectations placed on European countries, which are now compelled to take on a larger financial responsibility in aiding Ukraine. This situation poses critical questions about the future of transatlantic relations and the strategy for addressing the unfolding crisis in Eastern Europe, suggesting that Europe's geopolitical landscape may be reshaped profoundly as a result of U.S. policy shifts under Trump's administration.

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