European Council president warns EU could collapse if it follows Trump's course
Photo: European Council President António Costa (Getty Images)
European Council President António Costa warned EU leaders that the bloc would lose its way if it followed US President Donald Trump and allow him to make key decisions, according to Bloomberg.
According to sources, Costa told European leaders they cannot avoid facing the reality that US interests no longer align with those of the EU.
The European Council chief pointed to the US operation to capture Venezuela’s then-president Nicolas Maduro, the US and Israel’s war against Iran, and Trump’s stance on Ukraine as examples of where Washington diverges from the EU.
Sources also said Costa urged the EU to organize itself and develop an independent approach to defending its interests.
US-Europe relations
Relations between the United States and its European partners have sharply deteriorated following the start of the US operation against Iran.
Earlier, President Donald Trump’s team had worked out several punishment options for countries that refused to support Washington in the war against Iran.
Trump has also repeatedly called NATO outdated and threatened to withdraw unless allies increase defense spending.
As previously reported, the Trump administration has already warned about a possible exit from NATO structures, including outlining conditions under which the United States could reconsider its membership in the alliance.
At the same time, according to CNN, officials within the bloc do not feel excessive concern over the US leader’s threats to leave NATO. One European official described it as Groundhog Day, noting that the alliance has heard similar statements from Trump before.
Meanwhile, media reports previously suggested that Europe, amid US threats to exit NATO, has begun preparing a plan that would allow it to defend itself against Russia without American troops or guarantees.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte believes that a US withdrawal from the North Atlantic Alliance is unlikely, but stressed that the bloc needs to strengthen itself.
