Von Der Leyen Trying To Meet Trump Before His Inauguration

• 10.01.2025, 10:04

European officials are concerned about the politician's plans regarding Ukraine.

Chairman of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is trying to organise a meeting with Donald Trump before his inauguration, Bloomberg writes, citing informed sources.

It is noted that European Union officials and representatives of Trump held talks, but it is still unclear whether it will be possible to arrange a visit to his estate in Florida before January 20.

At the same time, attempts to organise a meeting are complicated by the fact that von der Leyen has not yet returned to Brussels after the holidays, as she is trying to recover from severe pneumonia.

As Bloomberg notes, EU officials have so far had difficulty opening channels of communication with senior counterparts in the new Trump administration, meanwhile the newly elected president has repeatedly complained that Europe is treating the US poorly.

Von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa issued identical messages on Thursday evening, saying they hoped for positive engagement with the incoming US administration and were committed to strengthening ties.

‘Von der Leyen maintained a particularly close relationship with outgoing President Joe Biden and travelled to the White House several times to coordinate policy on Ukraine and China. Officials now fear Trump may curtail U.S. aid to Ukraine and open contacts with Russia,’ Bloomberg writes.