Europe Buys Guns, America Sells Guns, Russia Gets a Reality Check
KEY POINTS
- •European governments increased military support to Ukraine by 67% and humanitarian aid by 59% in 2025 according to the Kiel Institute.
- •The U.S. aid stalled as Trump pushed NATO countries to buy American-made weapons and finance Ukraine’s defense themselves.
- •European leaders, including Poland's Radek Sikorski and Germany's Friedrich Merz, demand a bigger say at peace talks, citing their higher financial stake.
Four years in, the war that nixed Europe's world peace party has Europe tossing cash at Ukraine like they owe it money—67% more military aid and 59% more humanitarian backup in 2025, according to the Kiel Institute. Meanwhile, the U.S. basically hit snooze on aid, with 2025 becoming the year European patience outspent Washington’s enthusiasm, partly thanks to Trump demanding NATO pals buy American weapons (because who doesn’t love a war economy with roadside hot dogs?). Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski dunked on U.S. efforts at Munich, saying "We are spending real money, whereas the U.S. is actually making money on this war." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted the shade party, crediting Europe for 415,000 Russian casualties last year—yikes—and calling Europe’s newfound muscle “strategic adulthood,” not "nap time." Despite the drama, White House plays the cool kid, refusing Europe a proper seat at the negotiation table while Marco Rubio tries soothing nerves with, "we belong together." Keir Starmer called Europe a "sleeping giant," presumably after hitting snooze on the history alarm for decades.
Share the Story
Europe channeled its inner sugar daddy in 2025, throwing money at Ukraine while America played poker with weapon sales and Trump made NATO squads buy their own lunch. Meanwhile, Russia’s casualty count reads like a sad group chat no one wants to answer.
Europe just upgraded from 'summer intern' to 'CEO' in the Ukraine war funding hierarchy while America’s side hustle got awkwardly lost in translation.
2025: Europe boosts, U.S. ghosts, Russia suffers, and Trump’s version of world leadership looks like a bad TikTok remix no one asked for.
Source: Axios | Published: 2/19/2026 | Author: Zachary Basu
More Articles in World News
French Obesity Rate Mystifies US After Cheese, Wine, Bread Diet Approved
Corporations Raise Prices, Blame Everybody but Their Expensive Latte Habit
Apple TV Releases French Drama After Being Called Out For Plagiarism
Prince Andrew’s Career Hits New Low: Arrested For Playing Trade Envoy to Epstein
U.S. Threatens Iran, Oil Prices Throw Wild Party at Strait of Hormuz
Trump’s Middle East Strategy: Aggressive Posturing, Detailed Plan Pending
Trump’s Military Theater: Two Carriers, Zero Deals, One Big Question Mark
Japan’s Flight to Frankfurt Makes 14-Hour Scenic Tour Instead
