US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders at the White House, August 18, 2025. Photo Getty Images
In six months, European leaders have gone from frustration and fear to compliments from the White House in their dealings with Trump. How did they do it?
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Six months ago, despair bordering on panic reigned in European capitals. In February, after tough speeches by J.D. Vance in Munich and Pete Hegseth in Brussels, Western media headlines fluttered with predictions of the almost inevitable end of Euro-Atlantic unity.
Six months later, the picture looks different. A smiling Donald Trump receives European leaders and President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, calls it an honor, and publicly showers compliments on European leaders.
