The EU is developing a strategy to support Ukraine if Trump is re-elected

The European Commission has set up a special group to prepare for a possible return of Donald Trump to the White House. The group is developing a strategy in case of a sharp change in Washington's position on free trade and support for Ukraine.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the Financial Times.

Three knowledgeable sources said that the group is also assessing the impact of a possible Kamala Harris presidency and preparing for policy changes after the US elections in November. One of the sources said: "It's about figuring out what the implications might be in any case."

The team was formed by the office of European Commission Secretary General Ilse Johansson and includes a small number of officials representing key directorates for trade, competition and external relations.

Brussels is worried that Trump could impose painful tariffs on EU exports, cut off support for Ukraine, and force Kyiv to agree to Moscow's terms for ending the war.

European allies are concerned about Donald Trump's threats to withdraw the United States from NATO or to undermine mutual defense provisions for countries that he believes do not spend enough on defense.

The EU Committee plans to intensify its work in September and expand its interaction with member states' governments to assess the EU's potential vulnerabilities and ways to mitigate negative consequences. Particular attention will be paid to developing communication plans in case of major changes in US policy, such as the need for EU taxpayers to increase their contribution to Ukraine's defense.

The European Commission has announced that it is preparing for the US elections and is considering all possible scenarios, reaffirming its commitment to a close partnership with the US.

The German Foreign Ministry has also set up a similar group to prepare for a possible second Trump presidency, officials told the Financial Times.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 02/08/2024