European leaders seek the perfect way to persuade Trump, WSJ
Date: 2025-02-26 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WORLD
French President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders are trying to perfect the “art of persuasion” to sway US President Donald Trump to their side. According to The Wall Street Journal, during a White House meeting, Macron pressed Trump to provide US military support for the thousands of troops Britain and France are willing to deploy to Ukraine if a peace deal is reached. According to one official, the leaders did not discuss specific ideas, but “Trump was open to the idea, and Macron left Washington believing he had a common understanding with Trump.”
As the newspaper writes, Trump’s desire to negotiate a quick end to the war in Ukraine and his desire to get closer to Russia are forcing European leaders to try their hand at a skill they consider vital to the continent’s security: persuading Trump.
"The practice takes many forms - flattery, reverse psychology and pomposity - but its ultimate goal is to steer him toward his foreign policy goals. Politicians who pride themselves on their ability to "whisper" Trump say that understanding his "deal-making instincts" is key," the newspaper writes.
A procession of officials and world leaders has descended on Washington in recent days to charm, cajole and ultimately convince Trump that he is about to make a historic mistake by siding with Moscow against the interests of Ukraine and its European allies. However, it is not yet clear whether these entreaties are working, the WSJ notes.
As the newspaper notes, there is a lot at stake for Europe. Trump's decision to insist on a quick peace in Ukraine could play into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin and undermine the transatlantic security ties that have underpinned relative peace around the world.
The next person to try to appease Trump will be the British prime minister Keir Starmer. His aides are hoping that a combination of warm words, promises of increased military spending, and shared British-American history will help him persuade the US president to adjust his course.
Starmer even called for "peace through strength" - a favorite phrase of Trump's - when he announced the UK's military spending increase on Tuesday. The British prime minister will also use the opportunity of a state visit to the UK to meet Trump with the royal family, whom the president admires.
The plan to deploy European forces in Ukraine, however, is partly designed to appeal to Trump's no-nonsense nature. Britain and France have promised to "play the game" in Ukraine by sending peacekeepers there so that the US doesn't have to.
But persuading Trump is an extremely risky business, the WSJ notes:
"Leaders must find the right balance between flattering the leader of the world's most powerful military and choosing the right moment to make their case."
