European Leaders Maintain Secret 'Washington Group' Chat to Coordinate Amid Trump's Unpredictable Moves
Senior European political figures have established a confidential messaging group known as the 'Washington Group' to privately vent and coordinate responses whenever Donald Trump makes what they perceive as 'wild and potentially damaging' moves during his second presidential term. This informal digital gathering represents a significant shift in transatlantic diplomacy, with European leaders increasingly accustomed to operating without Washington's direct involvement, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Core Membership and Function of the Secret Coordination Group
The exclusive chat brings together prominent leaders from both European Union and non-EU nations, creating what insiders describe as a 'coalition of the willing' that continues to function effectively despite increasingly volatile relations with the current White House administration. Regular participants in these exchanges reportedly include:
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
- Finnish President Alexander Stubb
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
Sources familiar with the arrangement told Politico that the group has developed a well-drilled routine over the past year, springing into coordinated action whenever Trump makes moves perceived as disruptive to European security interests. One participant described the chat as 'really effective' during fast-moving international situations, providing a rare glimpse into the personal relationships shaping Europe's response to the American president.
Strategic Restraint and Behind-the-Scenes Coordination
Despite private frustrations expressed within the group, officials indicate that participants have adopted a deliberately restrained public approach, focusing primarily on behind-the-scenes coordination rather than public reactions to Trump's rhetoric. Officials familiar with the exchanges revealed that leaders aim to maintain calm and respond specifically to concrete policy actions rather than engaging directly with provocative statements from the American administration.
This measured approach has coincided with notable progress on Ukraine policy, with the coalition moving closer to establishing a framework for a peace plan supported by European states and endorsed by the United States. Remarkably, this proposed plan includes American security guarantees for Kyiv, despite Trump having previously ruled out direct US military involvement in the conflict.
Recent Tensions Over Greenland and Shifting European Patience
Trump's recent moves regarding Greenland have significantly altered the tone of discussions among European leaders, according to officials familiar with the Washington Group exchanges. Sources indicate that patience has worn noticeably thinner in recent weeks, with even typically cautious figures like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly raising concerns about American actions.
The Greenland dispute has intensified internal discussions about how Europe might respond if US support can no longer be reliably counted upon. One diplomat explained: 'The coalition of the willing started as being about Ukraine, but it has created very close ties between key people in the capitals. They've built trust and learned how to work together. They know each other by name, and it's easy to reach out and send texts.'
Sir Keir Starmer recently condemned Trump after the US President vowed to implement escalating tariffs on the UK and other European allies until America is permitted to purchase Greenland from Denmark. In a rare public rebuke, the Prime Minister stated: 'Our position on Greenland is very clear - it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and its future is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes. Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong. We will, of course, be pursuing this directly with the US administration.'
Potential Long-Term Implications for European Security Architecture
Some officials believe the Washington Group format could eventually form the foundation for a new European security arrangement in an era when American backing for NATO and European defence appears increasingly uncertain. While any new structure would not necessarily exclude cooperation with Washington, such cooperation would no longer be automatically assumed, according to Politico's reporting.
The group takes its name from a visit last August when several European leaders travelled to the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and has since become shorthand for the close-knit circle coordinating on Ukraine and broader US policy. The inclusion of President Zelensky adds another dimension to the coordination, particularly given Ukraine's current status as the most militarised country represented in the group, with extensive frontline warfare experience and a highly developed drone production industry.
Trump's announced tariff plan would begin at 10 per cent on February 1, rising to 25 per cent by June 1, affecting the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland. The move has been condemned by multiple European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who called Trump's tariff threats 'unacceptable'.
