The enduring admiration for Donald Trump among many British conservatives stems primarily from his effectiveness in provoking the progressive left, leading supporters to overlook his authoritarian tendencies and aggressive trade policies that threaten global economic stability.
The Controversial Peace Proposal
President Trump has presented a 28-point peace plan that critics describe as a grotesque betrayal of Ukraine. The proposal, which Ukrainian authorities have been given until Thursday to accept, would force significant territorial concessions to Russia while welcoming Moscow back into the G7 group of nations and lifting existing sanctions.
Under Trump's terms, Ukraine would be required to dramatically reduce its armed forces, prohibit Western troops from its territory, and abandon its ambition to join NATO. These conditions have drawn sharp criticism from US senators who allege the plan appears to have been conceived in the Kremlin.
European Security Concerns Mount
The high-handed manner in which Trump conducted negotiations with Russia over Ukraine, while largely ignoring European concerns, has shattered confidence in America's reliability as leader of the Western alliance. Only yesterday were EU and British officials permitted to contribute to discussions during a meeting in Geneva described by a US official as productive and even conclusive in some areas.
Although Trump stated on Saturday that his 28-point plan doesn't represent his final offer, the proposal has revealed his apparent deference to Vladimir Putin. Such a settlement would significantly strengthen the Russian president, enabling him to rebuild his weakened armed forces and plan future moves to destabilise Europe, potentially targeting Lithuania, Finland, or Poland.
Direct Threats to British Security
Russia has been increasingly flexing military muscle near British waters. Defence Secretary John Healey recently described a deeply dangerous provocation involving a Russian spy ship attempting to blind RAF pilots with military-grade lasers. The vessel Yantar, suspected of mapping and sabotaging undersea cables, spent six days in British waters while being tracked off the Scottish coast.
This incident represents what many security experts consider virtually an act of war, highlighting the immediate threat Russia poses to UK security interests.
Europe's Defence Capability Gap
Despite NATO countries recently agreeing to spend 3.5% of their annual economic output on defence by 2035 (rising to 5% when including civilian infrastructure), implementation remains doubtful. Germany's defence minister Boris Pistorius concedes his country will only slightly exceed 3% spending by the decade's end.
Britain plans to increase defence expenditure to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027, with vague ambitions to reach 3% during the next parliament. France, despite grand rhetoric from President Macron, spends less than the UK and hasn't established a timetable for meeting its obligations, remaining below 2.5% of GDP. Italy and Spain lag even further behind.
Poland stands as the notable exception, having already surpassed 4% of GDP defence spending and likely to reach 5% by 2035. However, Europe collectively falls short of its leaders' public commitments, maintaining a deeply ingrained dependence on American military support developed over decades.
Energy Dependence Compromises Security
Many EU countries continue relying significantly on Russian gas, undermining their strategic independence. Beyond Hungary's openly pro-Russia stance, nations including Germany, France, Italy, Belgium and Austria maintain substantial Russian gas imports, creating economic leverage that Moscow could exploit during geopolitical crises.
This energy dependence, combined with inadequate defence spending, leaves Europe vulnerable as Russia dedicates approximately 7% of its GDP to military expansion while transitioning to a war economy.
Leadership Dynamics and Diplomatic Concerns
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's relationship with Trump appears markedly unequal, evidenced during last month's Gaza peace summit in Egypt where the American president summoned Starmer for patronising cross-examination before turning his back on the British leader. This dynamic reflects Trump's apparent view of European leaders as subordinates rather than partners.
Diplomatic conventions prevent European leaders from openly criticising Trump's approach to Ukraine, though many security experts consider his proposed settlement unconscionable. The fundamental question remains whether Europe can mount an effective response if Trump withdraws military support from Ukraine should President Zelensky reject the 28-point plan.
With European leaders including Macron and Starmer demonstrating reluctance to make hard decisions necessary to confront Russia, and their nations unprepared to fill the potential void left by American disengagement, the continent faces unprecedented security challenges that current political leadership appears ill-equipped to handle.
