Trump Shuts the Door on Ukraine’s NATO Membership and Announces 25% Tariffs on European Products

During the first meeting of his cabinet at the White House on Wednesday, February 26, Donald Trump made firm statements on two pressing issues: the Ukrainian conflict and trade relations with Europe.

Ukraine Excluded from NATO: A Setback for Zelensky

The American president declared that Ukraine must “forget” about joining NATO, asserting that this prospect was “probably the reason for the start of this whole affair,” referring to the Russian invasion. This statement comes just two days before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington to sign an agreement on strategic minerals.

Zelensky, who had expressed willingness to resign to facilitate his country’s entry into the military alliance, now faces a diplomatic dead end, further complicating efforts to secure increased Western support.

Massive Tariffs on European Products

At the same time, Donald Trump announced the imminent imposition of 25% tariffs on European products, matching the level set for Canada and Mexico starting in April. The American president justified this measure by accusing the European Union of being “designed to scam the United States” and criticized European integration as a project harmful to American economic interests.

These decisions, made in a context of rising international tensions, mark a sharp shift in U.S. foreign and trade policy, casting uncertainty over the future of transatlantic relations and the stability of Eastern Europe.