R-Texas MP Dan Crenshaw said Europeans would have more weight in negotiations to end the Ukrainian conflict and complain that they would need to either strengthen defence spending or “quickly” to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Crenshaw said in Politico's “Power Play” podcast on Thursday that Europeans have not “have won't get a seat” at the negotiation table, and that Europeans will not do so unless they deploy 50,000 troops on the Polish border to strengthen and block Russia.
“Unless you're willing to put your troops on the ground and increase leverage on the West…unless you're happy with that, just keep quiet,” Crenshaw said. “Shut up and ask Trump to do his best.”
The Trump administration is about to end the war in Ukraine, and Trump administration officials met with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia on February 18th. Keith Kellogg of Ukraine and Russia and Ukrainian officials met on February 19th.
Even as we try to end the war in Ukraine, the war of Trump and Zelensky's words gets hot
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle Eastern envoy Steve Witkov met with Russian officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 18, 2025. (AP News)
Several NATO members are seeking European involvement in such debates. For example, the Associated Press reported that German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on February 13 that Europe “must exist” for negotiations, especially if it is “to play a central or major role in the peace order.”
However, Crenshaw has rejected such comments.
“How many people are scared of the European Union?” Crenshaw said on his podcast. “No. Scary, threaten and show that you can actually have leverage. And maybe you can sit at the table.”
Attending the Munich Security Conference in February, Crenshaw has repeatedly said that European countries, part of NATO, need to strengthen their defence efforts, and has collaborated with statements from Trump administration officials such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegses. “Our partners have to do much more to defend Europe,” Hegseth told NATO members in Brussels on February 13.
In 2023, the US spent 3.3% of its GDP on defense spending. That totals $880 billion, according to nonpartisan Washington, the Peterson Institute for International Economics. The Institute also found that over 50% of NATO funding comes from the US, while other allies, such as the UK, France and Germany, have contributed between 4% and 8% to NATO funding in recent years.
The White House argues that Ukraine and Russia will take “an important first step towards peace” after Rubio-led negotiations
President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Kia Starmer met at the White House on Thursday. (Photo by Getty Images)
Crenshaw also announced his support for British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer, who met with President Donald Trump on Thursday. Starmer pledged on Tuesday to raise UK defence spending to 2.5% of its gross domestic value. This is an increase of nearly $17 billion, up from the 2.3% that the UK is currently spending.
According to the OP-ed published on the Telegraph on February 16, it said it was ready to send British troops to Ukraine if necessary.
According to Crenshaw, such efforts will thwart Putin and prevent the Kremlin from putting the safety of the European continent at risk.
“That's what made me worry about Putin,” Crenshaw said. “And he'll keep coming until Putin actually scares y'all in Europe. That's something you need to learn.”
Crenshaw did not provide additional comments to Fox News Digital.
“Make NATO great again”: Hegseth pushes European allies to strengthen defensive efforts
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Voldimir Zelenki are scheduled to meet on February 28, 2025 as the Trump administration proceeds with peace talks to end the conflict in Ukraine. (Kay Nietfeld/Picture Alliance/Curtis Means/Daily Mail/Bloomberg)
The Trump administration continues to debate to end the war in Ukraine, with Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelenki scheduled to visit the White House on Friday.
French President Emmanuel Macron visited the White House on Monday and called on the United States to coordinate with France to ensure lasting peace. Still, he advised the US to be careful when dealing with Russia.
Click here to get the Fox News app
“We want peace,” he told Blair House on Monday in his “Special Report.” “And I think President Trump's initiative is very positive, but my message was to be careful because it requires something important to Ukraine.”
“I think President Trump's arrival is a game changer,” he said. “And I think he has the ability to deter the US to remarry Russia.”
