European leaders give muted response to US intervention in Venezuela, prioritising relations with Trump over Ukraine talks and Greenland sovereignty concerns.
BRUSSELS: European leaders have offered a notably restrained response to the US military intervention in Venezuela, prioritising strategic relations with Washington.
The muted reaction follows American troops’ capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a swift operation in Caracas.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the intervention as legally “complex”, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a “fast-moving situation”.
An EU spokeswoman said the events “create the opportunity for a democratic transition in Venezuela”, avoiding comment on US plans to administer the country.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez provided a rare critical note, stating the action “violates international law”.
European officials are focused on maintaining US cooperation in crucial negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
“We have our problems elsewhere and like it or not, realistically we need the US involvement,” one EU diplomat told AFP.
Kyiv’s supporters hope President Donald Trump will provide Ukraine with security guarantees as he pushes for a territorial settlement.
European leaders will meet in Paris on Tuesday to consolidate plans and may meet Trump later this month.
“No US, no security guarantees,” said one EU official on the Ukraine talks.
Separately, European capitals are alarmed by Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark.
“We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,” Trump told journalists.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called on Washington to stop “threatening” its territory.
The EU and Britain have expressed support for Denmark and Greenland, but officials seek to avoid escalation.
“We must appease Trump, not poke the beast,” said another EU diplomat. “There’s nothing we can do, and Trump knows it.”
Analysts warn the Venezuela operation undermines the international rules-based order Europe seeks to uphold.
“One of the byproducts of action of this kind is a legitimising effect on the ability of great powers to reshape things in ways they want in their neighbourhood,” said Ian Lesser of the German Marshall Fund.
The European Council on Foreign Relations said Europe must decide whether to accommodate or resist Washington.
“The question is not whether Europe can avoid friction with the US, but whether it is willing to defend its own interests when the challenge comes from its most powerful ally.”
