Europe Holds Meeting to Discuss Reopening the Strait, Excluding the U.S.; Trump Goes Into a Frenzy: No More Aid to Ukraine

With only two to three weeks left until Trump’s set deadline for "ceasing hostilities," Europe still refuses to join the escort mission in the Hormuz Strait, leaving Trump furious.

According to British media reports, Trump is extremely dissatisfied with Europe’s stance and has threatened to cut off military aid to Ukraine in order to force European countries into joining the escort coalition.

Currently, U.S. military aid to Ukraine is channeled indirectly through Europe—European nations fund American weapons, which are then supplied to Ukraine. Trump has threatened to halt this program, potentially cutting off Ukraine’s access to weapons and ammunition.

Beyond that, the Trump administration has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from NATO, arguing that the U.S. is fighting alone in the Middle East while NATO stands idly by—such an alliance, he claims, isn’t worth keeping.

It was only after Trump’s “favorite son” stepped in that the situation was temporarily stabilized. According to reports, under the initiative of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, major European countries issued a joint statement pledging to take certain measures to ensure strait security—but the statement did not specify how, and no further details have emerged since.

The latest development from Europe on this issue is a summit led by the UK, inviting 35 countries to discuss potential solutions—but the United States was notably not invited.

Evidently, Europe has no intention of sending troops to forcibly open the strait; instead, it hopes to achieve its goals through diplomatic means. That’s why it didn’t inform the U.S.—fearing direct pressure from Washington.

Notably, while Trump is urging Europe to participate in the escort mission, he is also eager to end the conflict in the Middle East as quickly as possible. Before delivering his nationwide address, he reiterated his commitment to rapid troop withdrawal, adding that if needed later, U.S. forces might return to strike Iran.

To Trump, U.S. forces can come and go at will—but whether Iran shares the same freedom of action remains uncertain.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861337913486352/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.