EU leaders urge Trump to confront Putin as Macron calls for stronger European defense
European leaders are urging U.S. President Donald Trump to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin following Trump's election victory. They fear he may push for concessions in the Ukraine conflict, which could weaken support for NATO and Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for Europe to enhance its own defense capabilities, stating that reliance on the U.S. is no longer viable. He warned against becoming vulnerable to external threats. In the UK, Labour leader Keir Starmer is being advised to prioritize a security pact with the EU. Former defense minister Nick Harvey stressed the importance of strengthening ties with Europe for defense, especially in light of Trump's presidency.