Trump Lambasts European Allies as "Decaying" While Demanding Ukrainian Elections Amid Russian Invasion

President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of European allies, describing Europe as "decaying" and "weak" on immigration and Ukraine policies in a recent interview with Politico.

During the conversation conducted on Monday, Trump leveled harsh remarks against European nations, further widening the gap between the United States and some of its longest-standing allies.

The 79-year-old billionaire urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to organize elections despite Russia's ongoing invasion, stating that Moscow currently holds the "upper hand" in the conflict.

These statements reinforce the extraordinary criticism of key US partners outlined in his administration's recent national security strategy, which incorporated far-right narratives about "civilizational erasure" in Europe.

"Most European nations, they're decaying," Trump declared to Politico, adding that Europe's migrant policies constitute a "disaster."

He attributed European weakness to political correctness, stating, "They want to be politically correct, and it makes them weak. That's what makes them weak." Trump further remarked that among Europe's leadership there were "some real stupid ones."

Regarding Ukraine, Trump criticized European nations amid growing disagreements over a US peace plan that many Europeans fear would require Kyiv to surrender territory to Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

"NATO calls me daddy," Trump stated, referencing NATO leader Mark Rutte's comments during a June summit where leaders endorsed Trump's call for increased defense spending. However, he added: "They talk but they don't produce. And the war just keeps going on and on."

European leaders have been attempting to court Trump since his January return to office, particularly regarding continued US support for Ukraine against Russia.

This interview will likely heighten concerns in European capitals already alarmed by last week's US security strategy, which called for "cultivating resistance" in Europe regarding migration and warned of "civilizational erasure."

Experts have noted similarities between parts of the strategy and elements of the "great replacement theory" promoted by far-right groups and Trump's former ally Elon Musk, which claims a conspiracy to replace white populations.

While Trump harshly criticized close US allies, Russia and China received relatively mild treatment in the US strategy. The Kremlin remarked that the US document aligned with its own worldview.

French minister Alice Rufo described the US security strategy as an "extremely brutal clarification of the ideological stance of the United States."

In his Politico interview, Trump claimed that countries including Britain, France, Germany, Poland, and Sweden were being "destroyed" by migration.

He also renewed his criticism of London's first Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan, calling him "horrible, vicious, disgusting." In response, Khan told Politico that Trump was "obsessed" with him and noted that American citizens were "flocking" to live in London.

Regarding Ukraine, Trump advocated for elections despite the ongoing conflict: "I think it's an important time to hold an election. They're using war not to hold an election. It gets to a point where it's not a democracy anymore."

Ukrainian elections originally scheduled for March 2024 were postponed under martial law imposed following Russia's February 2022 invasion. Approximately 20 percent of Ukraine remains under occupation.

Trump reiterated claims that Zelensky had not read the US peace plan: "It would be nice if he would read it. You know, a lot of people are dying."

Top US negotiators met with Putin in Moscow last week and subsequently held days of discussions with Ukrainian officials, though no significant breakthrough has been reported.

In response to Trump's comments, Zelensky stated Tuesday that he was "ready for the elections" if security could be ensured, adding that he hoped to submit Ukraine's updated version of the US plan on Wednesday.