Europe is deploying a classic “good cop, bad cop” strategy in Washington to manage Donald Trump on Ukraine. A diverse delegation of leaders has arrived to support Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with some prepared to flatter the US president while others are ready for a direct confrontation over his pro-Russia peace plan.
This “bodyguard” mission is a carefully calibrated exercise in diplomacy. The “good cop” role is played to perfection by NATO’s Mark Rutte. Known for his strategic use of praise, he will compliment Trump on defense spending and use his trademark charm to keep the mood constructive and the US president receptive.
The “bad cop” role falls to leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron. Having already called Trump’s plan a “non-starter” and publicly doubted Putin’s desire for peace, Macron is prepared to engage in a forceful, direct debate on the strategic merits, challenging the core assumptions of the White House’s proposal.
This dual approach, combining Rutte’s disarming flattery with Macron’s firm opposition, is designed to cover all bases. It allows Europe to appeal to Trump’s ego while simultaneously making it clear that their fundamental position on Ukrainian sovereignty is unshakeable.