VOA: European leaders in talks after American signals of a new reality

European leaders held an extraordinary meeting in Paris on Monday to discuss Ukrainian and European security. As VOA's Henry Ridgwell reports, the meeting came after a flurry of diplomatic moves by Washington that raised doubts about the United States' commitment to the transatlantic alliance - the bedrock of European security.

The diplomatic moves of recent days appear to have shaken the foundations of European security. French President Emmanuel Macron hosted several European leaders in Paris on Monday for extraordinary talks, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"We Europeans must do more. The issue of joint contribution is not new, but it is now urgent. And we Europeans must increase the budgetary contribution and the capacities we offer ," said the British prime minister.

Mr Starmer said he was willing to commit British forces on the ground in Ukraine if there was a lasting peace.

"There must be American support, as US security guarantees are the only way to stop Russia from attacking Ukraine again ," the British prime minister said.

A series of policy shifts in Washington have transformed Europe’s geopolitical calculus. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO allies last week that Europe should provide the bulk of its aid to Ukraine as it fights Russian forces, adding that the United States was no longer “primarily focused on European security,” as he put it.

US President Donald Trump spoke with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, effectively ending Moscow's isolation. The two sides agreed to hold peace talks in Saudi Arabia on Ukraine - talks without the involvement of Ukraine and Europe.

"We are experiencing tectonic shifts in the international order and a repositioning of the great powers ," says Daniela Schwarzer, from the Bertelsmann Stiftung Foundation.

European leaders have some big decisions to make, says another analyst.

"Not only to maintain, but also to increase support for Ukraine, given that it is clear that the United States will no longer play a leading role, as it did under former President Biden. But also for European defense and security in the medium and long term - what shape it will take. So there are big questions for Europeans ," says Armida van Rij, from the Chatham House Organization.

Only 23 of NATO's 32 member countries have reached the defense spending target of at least 2% of Gross Domestic Product, while US President Donald Trump wants the target to be 5%.

"This will be a really difficult thing for many Europeans who are operating in very limited fiscal spaces ," says Ms. van Rij.

American criticism went beyond defense issues. During the Munich security conference over the weekend, US Vice President JD Vance criticized mass immigration and, as he said, the attack on freedom of expression in Europe.

"The risk I worry about most in Europe is not Russia, it's not China, it's not another external factor. And what I worry about is the risk from within. The retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values. Values ​​that the United States of America supports ," said Vice President Vance.

These comments were described as “unacceptable” by German officials. Analyst van Rij says Europe is facing the consequences of a new tone in the transatlantic relationship.

"What comes as a surprise is the style in which it was conducted. All norms have really been broken, in terms of how diplomacy is done. Reality has hit very, very clearly ," says Ms. van Rij.

A reality to which Europe and Ukraine must adapt quickly./VOA