Neither Tusk nor Macron made particular reference to the feedback from the Republican presidential front-runner, however each argued for solidarity of their statements to the press.
“Europe should turn out to be a safe continent, and France and Poland should turn out to be sturdy, and able to defend its borders and its territory. And so they have to be able to defend their allies outdoors the EU,” the Polish prime minister added, in a transparent reference to Ukraine, as fears develop that U.S. Republicans will flip their backs on Kyiv.
European leaders and officers have been reacting with disbelief to Trump’s feedback, with some saying it was “reckless” and others that it “undermines Europe’s safety”.
The French president, who sparked controversy when he stated that NATO was experiencing “brain-death” in 2019 when Trump was in energy, argued Europe ought to concentrate on turning into “a safety energy” that’s “complementary” to NATO and a “European pillar of the Atlantic alliance.”
“We have to begin with our operational and industrial cooperation,” he stated.
Macron has lengthy argued that Europe ought to make investments extra in its personal safety, drawing criticism at occasions from allies who see him as pushing France’s personal army trade, whereas contributing little or no when it comes to arms to preventing the Russians in Ukraine.