The European leaders in Washington are performing a high-wire diplomatic act on a global stage. They must balance their fierce support for Ukraine with the need to maintain a functional relationship with the United States, all while navigating the unpredictable personality of President Donald Trump.
This “bodyguard” mission for Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the ultimate test of this balancing act. The delegation must firmly oppose Trump’s pro-Russia peace plan without causing an irreparable rift in the transatlantic alliance.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer embodies this challenge. He has successfully juggled a warm friendship with Zelenskyy and a pragmatic rapport with Trump. Now, he must hold that balance at the moment of maximum tension, advocating for territorial integrity while keeping an eye on Trump’s upcoming state visit to London.
Similarly, NATO’s Mark Rutte must balance his role as a Trump-flatterer with his duty to uphold the alliance’s commitment to a member’s partner nation under attack. The success of this mission depends on the ability of every leader in the delegation to walk this diplomatic tightrope without falling.