The prolonged rift between the United States and the European Union over how the issues of Ukraine and Gaza should be resolved is proving particularly dangerous for global peace—especially at a time when these well-known fronts remain open. It is telling that, despite the strongly anti-European rhetoric that Trump continues to employ, Europeans appear extremely hesitant about the policy they should adopt toward him, realizing that the situation could deteriorate even further if Euro-American relations were to break down completely. As a result, the only real beneficiary of this development is ultimately Putin, who, wherever he goes and wherever he stands, never ceases to praise Trump for his stance while accusing Europeans of bearing sole responsibility for the prolongation of the crisis. At the same time, it is now being revealed that major U.S.–Russia investment agreements are being prepared.

Thus, it is hardly surprising that Zelensky appears completely disoriented, seeing no light coming from the West. One moment he declares that he will call early elections, and the next that he will hold a referendum on the notorious territorial issue, at a time when Trump is pressuring him to accept the cession of Donbas. Meanwhile, Netanyahu—hostage to the extremist ministers in his government due to his legal troubles—openly proclaims, unimpeded by any international pressure, that he categorically rules out the creation of a Palestinian state and leaves Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank free to devastate the Palestinian population. All this is happening as the expiration of the first phase of the American peace plan approaches, while the prospect of effectively implementing the second phase appears extremely difficult. Europeans, for their part, continue to remain silent, while Netanyahu is planning yet another visit to Washington, seeking once again to secure Trump’s support.

In light of all this, it should come as no surprise that a recent poll published by the reputable Brussels-based website Politico shows that a large majority of citizens in Germany, France, Britain, and Canada believe that Donald Trump has left his mark on European politics during his second term, and that the leaders of Europe’s three major countries are incapable of effectively managing the unpredictable American president. Notably, the survey revealed that most Europeans want their leaders to stand up to the American president and challenge him publicly, rather than prioritize appeasing him.

The three European leaders who met with Zelensky in London nevertheless acknowledged that they are in an “extremely difficult position,” but have a “desperate need” to keep the Americans on their side, “no matter how difficult that may be.” And the message is clear as to what may follow from here on. Britain, however, appeared to align itself with the Franco-German axis, thereby violating the famed “special relationship” with the United States. And now remains to be seen what the ultimate fate of the much-vaunted Brexit will be.