European leaders eye US midterms, question Trump’s F‑35 push

European leaders are closely watching the upcoming U.S. midterm elections, hoping a loss for President Donald Trump will curb his ability to influence foreign policy. They anticipate that a weakened Trump could limit his push to deliver F‑35 fighter jets to Turkey and reduce his leverage in negotiations over a peace settlement in the Russia‑Ukraine war.

At the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump reiterated a demand that Denmark hand over control of Greenland, but European heads responded dismissively, with some describing the meeting as a “psychotherapy night.” The episode underscored a broader shift in Europe toward “de‑Americanisation,” as countries move away from U.S. technology and military equipment, favoring European software, AI, and space initiatives.

Greece’s government, in particular, sees a less powerful Trump as advantageous for its own stance on the contested F‑35 sale to Turkey, believing the president would be less able to pressure the deal.