European leader close to Trump, impressed by an unexpected idea: Europe's support in exchange for Ukraine's support
The President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, was impressed by a proposal circulated on Tuesday at the Chatham House think tank in London, which involves providing European military support to secure the Strait of Hormuz if US President Donald Trump gives Ukraine all the help it needs to reach an acceptable peace agreement with Russia, Politico wrote.
In a post on Tuesday criticizing European allies' refusal to support the Iran operation, Donald Trump described the relationship with the NATO alliance as “a one-way street” in which the US invests hundreds of billions of dollars to protect member states, but receives nothing in times of need.
The idea of a negotiation with Trump, in which the Europeans support the securing of Hormuz and Washington gives Kiev the help it needs to reach an acceptable peace deal with Moscow, was brought to the attention of Finnish President Alexander Stubb during a question-and-answer session at Chatham House on Tuesday.
Stubb, considered one of the European leaders closest to Trump, appeared surprised and impressed by the proposal, according to Politico.
“I think it's a very good idea,” he said. “No, I think it's actually a very good idea,” echoed Stubb, who promised to look into the option further and discuss options with his team.
The publication noted, however, that it is far from clear what role European forces could play in the Strait of Hormuz.
On the other hand, support for Ukraine and the extent of Trump's involvement are pressing matters for Europe.
Various officials, including Stubb, fear that a prolongation of the Iran war could bring additional constraints to Ukraine, given that a rise in global energy prices and Washington's decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian oil will significantly increase Russia's revenue from fossil fuel sales.
Europeans are trying to keep Ukraine in the foreground
On Monday, the Financial Times reported that European leaders have tried to keep Ukraine front and center since war broke out in the Middle East. Zelenski was in Paris on Friday, in the context of which an Élysée official claimed an “eclipsing effect” of the conflict between the US-Israel and Iran.
In London on Tuesday, where the Ukrainian president met the British prime minister, Keir Starmer warned that “the focus must remain on Ukraine” despite the war in the Middle East and stressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin “must not be the one to gain from a conflict in Iran, whether it's oil prices or lifting sanctions.”
“There is obviously an ongoing conflict in Iran in the Middle East, but we cannot lose sight of what is happening in Ukraine and the need for our support,” the British leader added.
