BREAKING: France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain & UK sign a joint statement vowing to protect Ukraine's sovereignty

[Dennis Donovan]

News Eye
‪@newseye.bsky.social‬
BREAKING: France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain & UK sign a joint statement vowing to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty & demanding a role in the peace talks.

This is leadership.

It’s also unprecedented.

A western alliance is having to form against a new, twin & united threat: Trump & Putin.

February 12, 2025 at 5:29 PM

BREAKING: France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain & UK sign a joint statement vowing to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty & demanding a role in the peace talks.

This is leadership.

It’s also unprecedented.

A western alliance is having to form against a new, twin & united threat: Trump & Putin.

— News Eye (@newseye.bsky.social) 2025-02-12T22:29:38.250Z

[Lovie777]

1. K& R.................

More will come thru.

[Quixote1818]

2. Big Fuck You to Trump from these countries. Russia is on the ropes and Trump wants a big win. We can't let Russia give

Trump a win that is meant to undermine Ukraine in the long term.

[B.See]

8. Absolutely not. Time to draw a line in the sand

between fascist dictatorships and DEMOCRACIES.

[BComplex]

86. Europe can take Russia. Russia is already weakened by Ukraine.

I'd pay taxes to Ukraine or the European alliance.

[surfered]

3. Maybe Ukraine is in NATO and the U. S. is out of NATO?

[mwooldri]

17. Maybe something else?

A European Self Defense Area that mimics NATO and includes Ukraine? Accelerated membership of the EU?

It might not be in the US's interests to exit NATO. If the US exits NATO, NATO members could ask the US to leave their countries. I'm pretty certain the EU countries can take care of their own defence, but if the US needs staging posts for some reason it won't have those assets in European countries any more.

[Chemical Bill]

40. Trump's not strong on...

unintended consequences of his actions. He's likely to act first and mouth off later.

[moniss]

42. All of those military bases we have in EU countries are

also easy base of operations for intelligence efforts. Much harder to insert human intelligence in a country without them. It might be shocking to people to see the map of the Middle East for example and see where all we have military installations. It is way more than just one here or there.

[quakerboy]

44. how is that relevant?

If we were serious about intelegence, we would not have just handed management of our combined intelegence operations over to putin.

[moniss]

47. It would be incorrect to think we only use spies to gather

intelligence on Russia.

[yellow dahlia]

38. Maybe it is the only answer.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. As America gives up being a world leader.

[CountMyVote4Reality]

75. And trans to a world pariah.

It might be cold comfort to *, but it’s going to hurt all over again. Bring it on for the loser to engulf himself in flames. OOPS.

Cheers EU!

[Irish_Dem]

5. Trump has aligned with the world's fascists.

Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, Saudi.

[Evolve Dammit]

10. What he always wanted. To be a bad boy and hang with the dicktators.

[Irish_Dem]

15. He cannot get attention, respect, accolades from decent law abiding leaders.

The only people who like him are like minded criminals.

[dchill]

18. (And they don't respect him, either.)

[Irish_Dem]

24. I agree, they do not respect him either.

Or trust him. They are all mob bosses and partners in crime.
But there is no trust, respect, or liking.
Trump is a loose cannon and unpredictable.

[Evolve Dammit]

69. He could have first term, had he risen to the office. He never wanted to. Destruction is all he wants.

[Irish_Dem]

72. Trump is a ruthless narcissist and psychopath. He is not capable of functioning normally.

He is seriously mentally ill.

Rising to the occasion as a public servant is a totally foreign and disgusting concept to him.
The public are all suckers and losers in his mind, why would he help them.

[Evolve Dammit]

73. All true. Don't think he even believed he could get elected in 2015 and now wants to re-shape the world before he goes

To the great golden toilet in the sky.

[Irish_Dem]

78. He thought he was just improving his business brand.

He didn't immediately realize Putin and the billionaires were positioning him to be their stooge.

Yes he is now drunk with power and immunity.

He will commit as many crimes as possible, get revenge, and pretend he is the most
powerful and richest man in the world. He may not be wrong on that score.

[Evolve Dammit]

80. Dammit.

[BH liberal]

74. Putin's Puzzy

Trump...Putin helped him get elected and here come the payoffs for the Kremlin's investment.

[Irish_Dem]

79. Yes Trump must return the favor. But he also is extracting something more from Putin.

He will hand Ukraine over to Putin, but wants more.
And also Trump will make Zelensky pay something too.

[Solly Mack]

6. K&R

[Jit423]

7. Silly, you have no American allies leading America now. You have we, the people, but we do not control our military or

our own government at this time.

[Cha]

9. Omg... Thank Goodness! Good on Ukraine... Now

who's going to Protect America from the Putin Puppets?

TY & France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain & UK !

[slightlv]

26. As our government and country continues to

disintegrate each and every day to a third world status (or less), I keep hoping one or more of our (former?) allies will take pity and stage an intervention of some kind. Could be diplomatic, but that would probably be rebuffed, no doubt. It might take a more serious format, but if it stops our country from going full-on fascist, I'd say right now I'm all for it. Surely these "reps" of ours would listen to *someone* besides Putin, Xi, and Un. It was France that helped us win the Revolutionary war; perhaps they might feel they have a vested interest in seeing that we remain a free state and people.

[JMCKUSICK]

11. They should also become less reliant on military EQ

Purchased from the USA.

[mwooldri]

19. Europe can make its own stuff.

Saab makes a fighter jet, the French too, and there's the Eurofighter Typhoon. Though they do have American parts, they have enough knowledge and ability to substitute if needs be.

Also.... The UK and France have nukes.

[gay texan]

12. Retalitory tarriffs coming in 3, 2, 1

He is that petty...

[orangecrush]

13. Kick

[IronLionZion]

14. Trump will sign a statement with Russia for the opposite

and maybe take Greenland too

[bronxiteforever]

16. Long live Ukraine and her allies!

[GoodRaisin]

20. I look forward to Dick Tater's response to this.

If he gives one at all, and turns his back on our Allies.

This is getting more and more awkward for him.

[Joinfortmill]

21. I was hoping for this.

[JohnSJ]

22. Good, and f**K THE UNITED STATES OF trump

[Initech]

25. Also fuck Fox News, Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones, and all the other bullshit right wing media for this.

If there is a hell, may they all rot in it!

[JohnSJ]

31. I sure would like to see them pay for the consequences of their destructive actions.

[Initech]

63. Seriously! These assholes don't get punished for anything.

Way past time to change that!

[Initech]

23. Excellent! Fuck Trump, Musk, and Putin!

[AdamGG]

27. Good - get Europe more unified than ever against Putin

And hopefully we will be able to rejoin the free world in 4 years. Clearly, in nearly all regards, we have now ceded our role as a world leader. Hopefully, the Europeans can keep the flame of reality based democracy alive in our absence.

[dalton99a]

28. Kick

[Beringia]

29. What exactly will they do, sounds vague "We are ready to enhance our support"

[DFW]

30. It had better be vague!

There is no sense in telegraphing specific moves until it is time to spring them on Putin (and Trump). Why give them time to prepare for something?

[PortTack]

41. France and England both have said they are willing to commit troops. And, to increase more of their budget

To military. Watch for Poland to lead the way. They have a fighting force that is now the envy of the world….and all volunteer. They are never going back to ghettos and camps…because that’s what at putin will do.

[Daleuhlmann]

32. I HAD NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE SEEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS!

Last edited Fri Feb 14, 2025, 01:44 PM - Edit history (1)

Dividing NATO and pitting the United States against our own allies is exactly what Putin had intended--and with Trump's treasonous help, he has succeeded! Even though I am on a fixed-income private pension and will be 68 in April, I may strongly consider a permanent move to Canada or Europe raher than to continue to pay taxes to Trump's America!

[RobinA]

82. Yeah, Who Knew?

The Axis powers of WW3 - America, Russia, and China.

[NoMoreRepugs]

33. Vets who voted for the SlobFather should be ashamed of themselves

and apologize to their grandchildren for helping destroy Democracy.

[Playingmantis]

34. I was born when the United States was the arsenal of democracy..

and even the beacon of democracy to the world..it was never perfect or all it was cracked up to be but it was still a leader and a great country..I am now living at a time when people care more about the price of eggs than preserving democracy and it saddens me to see the change...

[DSandra]

60. Democracy has been on the decline for years now...

2019-2020:

Many Across the Globe Are Dissatisfied With How Democracy Is Working

This Is How Democracy Dies


2024:

Record Low in U.S. Satisfied With Way Democracy Is Working

Satisfaction with democracy has declined in recent years in high-income nations

[kimbutgar]

35. I hope the Scandinavian countries also issue a joint statement about this!

Followed by Australia and New Zealand. And have the Asian countries join in! I’m not holding my breath for China though!

[BidenRocks]

36. I think I will fly the NATO flag.

“Slava Ukraini”!

[OverBurn]

84. +1 Good Idea

[yellow dahlia]

37. Go Europe!

Does that mean they are going to have to be at war w/ the US?

Hegseth said today...essentially we are no longer going to honor our NATO obligations.

This is all so so so beyond the pale!!!

The stuff that is coming down today is hard to even explain.

This script is not believable. Rewrite!

[PortTack]

39. The EU knows they must do this or face putin again in a couple of years. Thank the gods

This makes me sad and about to cry. I’ve always prided myself on being strong and not letting a situation get the best of me…but this. I am so so ashamed to be an American

[berkerly6240]

43. The US pledged 54% of total aid and a larger % of strictly military. The war is over without US money...

The europeans just want a seat at the table but can't/won't go it alone.

[bronxiteforever]

50. "Can't or won't go it alone."

I disagree with the certainty of that statement. Way too many variables.

[Melon]

77. This.....I spoke with a German CEO years ago

About why Germany doesn’t fund their military or nato. There was no way Germany could defend itself against Russia when the war started. His simple answer was “ why fund it….we know we’ve already lost….” The war and increased energy cost killed their manufacturing economy. Hopefully that will rebound now.

[Emrys]

51. No idea where you got those figures, but they're plain wrong.

Trump's busy pumping the idea that the US has given $500 billion of aid to Ukraine (at least that what he's aiming to extort in rare earths etc.), but it's all bullshit.

Aside from the fact that only a fraction of US aid to Ukraine hasn't been in kind from defunct US materiel stockpiles that would have had to be disposed of someday somehow anyway, or arms manufactured in the US, which has been supporting American jobs, the US hasn't come through with all the aid it promised, and even if it had, it would have been out-donated by the European bloc alone, never mind support from elsewhere in the world.

This was the situation up to the end of October 2024:



Europe and the other partners in the coalition of the willing would rather not do without US "help", but it looks like they're not willing to suck up to Trump at the moment to keep in his good books, which is refreshing. I think a potential existential crisis can focus minds like that.

If Europe + Ukraine has to function as the core of a coalition without US involvement, it could do that. I'm not saying it would be easy, but it's well within its capabilities.

[berkerly6240]

56. Ok. I'll accept your numbers, take away 41% & Ukraine is finished..

this is a fact. Without US military support, it's over.

[Emrys]

57. Biden ensured Ukraine had funding for most of 2025 before he stood down.

That buys time for a whole bunch of things to happen. Trump's managed to put the brakes on some of what was already approved for now, but US support over the last couple of years has been marked by continuous shortfalls and delays anyway. That's why the Europeans have developed their own support networks.

Here's another way of breaking down the figures, showing the breadth of the coalition, this time for an earlier period:



I've no idea where your categoric certainty that 41% less funding for Ukraine (assuming its other allies don't step up to the mark to make up any shortfall) means it's "finished" comes from - "this is a fact".

Oh, really? A couple of hours ago you were sure the US was Ukraine's largest funder, so forgive me if I take any declarations from you with a pinch of salt.

But if writing off Ukraine makes you happy, go for it.

[berkerly6240]

61. I'm not happy, I'm realistic. EU countries will not fund this alone..

Please...let's check back in a 2 months. This is just posturing for them. Why do you think Zelensky is praising Trump???

BTW...most sources have the US as the largest funder for Ukraine.

[Emrys]

62. See, to me they're not "them"

They're "us". I'm in the UK, Scotland in fact. I've never known an issue that's seen more unity across our major political parties. Same applies to other countries in Europe and the EU if you discount the likes of Orban, who may not last in office much longer anyway.

Zelensky has to ride Trump's train for the moment for the potential good of his people - it's basic diplomacy, especially when dealing with a self-centred narcissist. That should be obvious, not a mystery.

"Most sources" - that sounds positively Trumpian. "Many people say ...".

Here's Ben Wallace (UK Secretary of State for Defence under the last UK government) on Twitter just tonight:

Rt. Hon Ben Wallace
@BenWallace70

I know it is hard for some people to understand but countries of Europe -including Norway and UK have given more in aid to Ukraine than the US. In Military aid alone we are neck and neck. If you include humanitarian and financial it is more by over $20bn

[berkerly6240]

64. Zelensky needs the US $ and support, praising Trump isnt being diplomatic..

like I said, lets check back in a month or 2. Z knew this was over when Trump won the election. In fact, he was cozying up to him even before Trump won. It's disgusting but reality.

Spent 9 weeks in Aberdeen btw over a 3 year period...great people and enjoyed the bars in former places of worship.

[TomWilm]

45. Europe has historically good reasons to be suspicious!

1989: Mikhail Gorbachev mentioned what Henry Kissinger told him:
“... Kissinger hinted at the idea of a USSR-US condominium over Europe. He was hinting that Japan, Germany, Spain, and South Korea were on the rise, and so, let us make an agreement so that the 'Europeans do not misbehave'.
We should work on this range of issues also, but in such a way that it would not leak, because in Europe they are most afraid of that what they understand the Reykjavik summit means. And if you remember, in Reykjavik they saw an effort at conspiracy between the USSR and the USA over Europe. ...”
https://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/document/anatoly-chernyaevs-notes-politburo-session

[electric_blue68]

65. Woah. Well to hell with Kissenger.

[TomWilm]

67. Yep - and he was honored his whole life for such shitty behavior ...

... the speaks that the United States would demolish the wall and save Eastern Europeans from the claws of communism was mostly pure bragging.

When the opportunity came, the United States worked diligently to slow down the process in fear of the very possible chaos, that a dozen brand new independent countries in the middle of Europe could create. Instead of backing up the rebels, the United States instead encouraged General Jaruzelski to take power in Poland to stop Lech Walesa and Solidarność - and in Hungary, the opposition was told by the US not to go after revolution but negotiate with the Communist Party.

When Nicolae Ceaușescus tyranny in Romania came under violent siege of its own citizens, Gorbachev was told directly that the United States would not protest if the Soviet stopped the rebellion with armed power ...

The Europeans has a long memory...

[AllaN01Bear]

46. ding.

[flashman13]

48. The Europeans live on the same continent as Russia. Proximity tends to focus understanding.

The Europeans can read the map. They understand what is at stake.

Ukraine is not only holding its own, right now they are humiliating the Russians around Kursk. They just need to outlast Putin. With him gone they will withdraw the same way they did in Afghanistan.

Trump has sold out another ally and humiliated the United States in front of the entire world. Nice going MAGAt.

Good Night and Good Luck

[wordstroken]

49. I am unbearably saddened, ashamed, and mortified by our country's leadership.

Glad other countries are supporting Ukraine.
In solidarity. 🇺🇦

[Pas-de-Calais]

52. REAL leaders of those countries

[BeyondGeography]

53. Favorite OP of the day

And I love every response here.

[maxrandb]

54. Some people thought I was nuts

but I have said, repeatedly, that I was "less worried about Donnie Dipshit joining with Russia to destroy NATO, than I was about NATO joining together to destroy what America has become"

[Farmer-Rick]

83. This is what happens when empires die

America is no longer the center of world capitalism.

[Hekate]

55. KnR

[LudwigPastorius]

58. Re: New Alliance Forming

Not to worry.

Things will be balanced out once the U.S.'s application to join the Axis of Evil goes through.

[evemac]

59. Feels a little like the years before WWI

European nations making alliances with one another and backing up smaller countries prior to 1914.

[electric_blue68]

66. Even if I Wasn't 2nd Gen Half Ukrainian-American I'd be thankful for this! Slava Ukraini!

💛 💚

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

68. Why would you want peace in Ukraine when you have me? Donny Dorkface

[Mike 03]

70. How preposterous and obscene is it that the U.S. is on the

OTHER side of this agreement? Try explaining that to your great grandparents who lived through--maybe fought in--World goddamned War II.

Maybe an exaggeration, but it almost begins to look like...:

The signee countries are the Allied forces
We are in the Axis now Russia, North Korea, Iran and China.

[ancianita]

71. HELP Ukraine and the West.

EU Site for helping Ukraine.
https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-solidarity-ukraine/helping-ukrainians-how-you-can-donate-and-engage_en

Other sites
https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/

[The Madcap]

76. The U.S. appeasement is going to

Give China the green light in Taiwan. T**** won't defend them from attack.

[LittleGirl]

81. I lived in that part of the EU

and left in April. I am very worried about what is going to happen in the next 6 months.
Russia is going to continue their sweep. the horrors. I need a moment.

[wryter2000]

85. Trump and Putin can negotiate all they want

It means nothing.

[AntiFascist]

87. K&R, looks like America is no longer so Great under Trump n/t

[Martin68]

88. This is excellent news. Trump and Putin can't make a separate peace if European countries support Ukraine.

Plus, this is embarrassing for Trump because all his noise about Ukraine and underspending by NATO allies is totally undermined by this.

[Number9Dream]

89. Statement from www.gov.uk/government...

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/weimar-statement-by-germany-france-poland-italy-spain-the-united-kingdom-the-european-external-action-service-and-the-european-commission