International Editorial Team.- The main European leaders received this Wednesday the victory of Republican Donald Trump in the elections in the United States with a willingness to collaborate to improve the transatlantic relationship and work together for peace.
The former president has claimed victory against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris by obtaining good partial results and winning the popular vote, according to preliminary scrutiny, although the final data has yet to be confirmed.
Orbán congratulates Trump and says he has “big plans”
The first to congratulate Trump from Europe was the Prime Minister of Hungary, the ultranationalist Viktor Orbán, who said on his Facebook account that he had “big plans” with the probable new tenant of the White House.
Considered a leading leader of the global extreme right, Orbán is a close ally of Trump and during the US election campaign he had already made clear his preference for the Republican, about whom he has assured several times that if he returns to the White House he will bring peace to Ukraine in a few days.
Netanyahu highlights the great alliance between Israel and the US
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also chosen social media, congratulating Trump on “the greatest comeback in history.”
“Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a return to commitment to the great alliance between Israel and the United States. “It is a great victory!” wrote the president on the social network X.
Zelensky congratulates Trump on his “impressive victory”
Hoping to work for a “just peace” in Ukraine, its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, congratulated Trump on his “impressive” election victory.
“I appreciate Trump’s commitment to the principle of ‘peace through strength’ in international affairs. It is exactly the principle that can, in a practical way, bring us closer to a just peace in Ukraine,” Zelensky said on his X social network account.
The Ukrainian leader recalled “the great conversation” he had with Trump in New York in September, when the two spoke for the first time in person since the beginning of the Russian invasion about bilateral relations, Zelensky’s so-called Victory Plan and the possible ways to end the war.
NATO “counts” on Trump’s leadership
From Brussels, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte extended his hand to collaborate with Trump to promote peace.
“Through NATO, the United States has 31 friends and allies who help advance US interests, multiply American power and keep Americans safe,” Rutte said.
The European Commission “warmly” congratulates the former president
Also from the community capital, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, “warmly” congratulated Donald Trump this Wednesday, and invited him to work together on a transatlantic agenda that benefits the EU and the US.
“I warmly congratulate Donald J. Trump. The EU and the US are more than just allies. We are united by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens. Let us therefore work together on a solid transatlantic agenda that continues to deliver results for them,” Von der Leyen wrote in a message on the X social network.
Macron and Scholz, “prepared” to work with Trump
Also, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, when congratulating Trump, trusted that Germany and the United States will continue their “successful” working relationship to promote prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic.
Pedro Sánchez highlights the “strategic” relationship with the US.
The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, described relations with the United States as “strategic” when congratulating Trump in X, although the first Spanish political leader to congratulate the former president was the president of the far-right Vox party, Santiago Abascal.
The “strategic” link was also underlined by the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who assured that “Italy and the United States are ‘brother’ nations, united by an unbreakable alliance, common values and a historic friendship.”
Other leaders
Among the conservative governments in Europe, the Dutch Dick Schoof, prime minister of a coalition government in the Netherlands that includes the radical right, and the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro, who advocated maintaining “a close collaboration.”
Also the head of the Austrian Government, Karl Nehammer, who hoped to expand transatlantic relations “to successfully face global challenges”, and the president of Serbia, the nationalist Aleksandar Vučić, who spoke of cooperating with the US “for the stability, prosperity and peace.”
The first contact between European leaders to assess the results of the US elections will be this Thursday in Budapest (Hungary), where they will meet within the framework of the fifth summit of the European Political Community.
Interview between Time.news Editor and International Relations Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Helena Richter, an expert in international relations and transatlantic dynamics. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Richter.
Dr. Helena Richter: Thank you for having me. It’s a significant moment in international politics, and I’m glad to talk about it.
Editor: Absolutely. The recent election victory of Donald Trump has certainly sent shockwaves across Europe. How did European leaders respond to his win?
Dr. Richter: European leaders have generally reacted with a mix of optimism and strategic intent. They seem eager to collaborate on improving transatlantic relations, signaling that they hope for a more stable partnership moving forward. For instance, leaders like Viktor Orbán expressed eagerness for strong ties with Trump, indicating plans for collaboration.
Editor: Orbán’s comments particularly caught my attention. He hinted at “big plans.” How do you see this aligning with Trump’s foreign policy direction?
Dr. Richter: Orbán is a significant figure in Europe’s far-right movement and has previously been a strong ally of Trump. His alignment with Trump suggests a renewed embrace of nationalism and populism in dealings with the U.S. This could reshape EU responses, especially regarding Eastern Europe and issues like the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Editor: Speaking of Ukraine, President Zelensky congratulated Trump as well. How do you interpret his message about “peace through strength”?
Dr. Richter: Zelensky’s message reflects a desire for a pragmatic approach to peace negotiations. By emphasizing strength, he seeks reassurance that the U.S. will remain a robust ally. Trump’s historical rhetoric on military and economic support has resonated in Ukraine, so this is very strategic on Zelensky’s part, aligning with Trump’s past positions.
Editor: There seems to be a broader desire from leaders like Netanyahu and the NATO Secretary General to reaffirm alliances. What does this mean for the future of U.S. foreign policy?
Dr. Richter: It signals a likely return to more traditional U.S. foreign policy dynamics, especially with a pro-Israel stance emphasized by leaders like Netanyahu. NATO also sees Trump as a stabilizing force. Collaborating with Trump could mean a reinvigoration of NATO’s collective defense principles and a focus on countering new global threats.
Editor: Ursula von der Leyen emphasized a strong transatlantic partnership. What challenges do you foresee in this renewed commitment?
Dr. Richter: The challenges lie in reconciling different approaches to global issues—climate change, trade policies, and even democratic values. While there’s a shared desire to work together, the actual implementation of a cohesive strategy will be tested by varying national interests and domestic pressures within both the EU and the United States.
Editor: It sounds like the next few years will be crucial for transatlantic relations. As scholars and policy-makers watch closely, what do you recommend they focus on?
Dr. Richter: They should closely monitor how these new alliances develop and what policies Trump prioritizes. Additionally, keeping an eye on public sentiment in Europe and the U.S. regarding these changes will be essential. Cooperation will require not just political agreements, but also public support across the Atlantic.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Richter, for your insights today. It’s clear that the global landscape is shifting and that the outcomes of these new alliances will be critical in the years to come.
Dr. Richter: Thank you for having me. It’s an exciting time in geopolitics, and I look forward to seeing how it unfolds.