German officials said Europe must be prepared to safeguard its own security and ensure Kyiv continues to receive the aid it needs to resist Russian aggression. The remarks come as analysts warn that shifting U.S. policy could change the balance of transatlantic defense support.

European countries have already increased defense spending and military assistance since Russia’s 2022 invasion, but Berlin says more coordinated action is vital — from accelerating ammunition production to reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank. EU leaders are also exploring new defense procurement strategies to fill any potential gaps if U.S. aid is reduced.

Officials in Berlin believe this could be a defining moment for Europe to emerge as a stronger, more self-reliant security player. The European Union has recently approved new defense initiatives, while Germany, France, and Poland have pledged deeper military cooperation.

While the United States remains Ukraine’s largest supporter, Europe’s renewed commitment signals determination to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty — regardless of political changes in Washington.

Speaking to Germany’s Deutschlandfunk radio, Wadephul said Trump had realised that his own efforts had failed to persuade Russia’s Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.

Trump’s remarks on Truth Social marked an abrupt and major rhetorical shift for the U.S. leader who had previously nudged Ukraine to give up territory to end the war and had rolled out the red carpet for Putin in Alaska just last month.

But it was not immediately clear whether Trump would back up his words with a shift in U.S. policy, an ambiguity that could keep the onus on Europe to meet more of Ukraine’s needs through weapons and financing as Washington’s role recedes.

Stepping up will not be easy for Europe

Europeans have repeatedly said “that we really have to grow up… We have to become more sovereign,” Wadephul said.

“And that’s why we have to look at what we ourselves can achieve. We can achieve much more; not all European states have delivered what they promised Ukraine. We have to look at what other financial and military options we have.”

Trump’s comments were good for Ukraine and good for Europe, Wadephul said, as the president “must indeed acknowledge that his considerable efforts with Putin have so far been unsuccessful.” He warned, however, that Europe stepping up security efforts would not be easy.

Two officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, also cautioned that Trump may be signalling that it was up to Europe to help Ukraine now.

“He seems to be saying his goodbyes, no? But that can change tomorrow. In any case: the cards are clear for us. We know what we should be doing,” a Western European official said.

A senior Eastern European diplomat said that Trump’s Ukraine comments aimed to indicate a change of position and to show “that he is starting to disengage by sending a message that it is Europe’s question”.

Europe already taking on a Greater role

Trump, in his social media post, said “With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option.”

The U.S. has long been Ukraine’s biggest single backer and weapons supplier but since taking office Trump has insisted Europe take on a much greater share of its own defence burden. To some extent, that is already happened.

European members of the NATO defence alliance have raised their defence spending and also supplied Ukraine with air defence under a new system to give Ukraine weapons from U.S. stocks using funds from NATO countries.

The European Union is also discussing a plan to repurpose the frozen assets to boost financial aid to Ukraine, as it looks to step up sanctions pressure on Russia, despite the risk of damaging foreign confidence in investing in Western bonds.

European defence stocks were the biggest early gainers on the pan European STOXX 600 (.STOXX), opens new tab on Wednesday following Trump’s remarks.

An index of aerospace and defence companies .SXPARO was up 0.8% at 0717 GMT, near its record highs and outperforming region-wide STOXX 60, which was down 0.45%.