ANKARA

US President Donald Trump offered sharp critiques of European political leadership on Tuesday, arguing that governments on the continent are struggling with migration pressures and the continuing war in Ukraine.

Speaking at the White House in an interview with Politico, Trump described Europe as facing significant strain and said its leaders had not done enough to manage major challenges.

“I think they’re weak,” he said. “I also think that they want to be so politically correct. I think they don’t know what to do. Europe doesn’t know what to do.”

The interview comes as European leaders react to the new National Security Strategy of the US, which accuses the continent of being over-regulated, suffering from declining “self-confidence” and experiencing “civilizational erasure” due to immigration. It claims that European institutions "undermine political liberty and sovereignty" and predicts that if current trends continue, Europe will become "unrecognizable in 20 years or less."

European Council President Antonio Costa urged the US to respect the bloc's domestic political life and democratic choices during the Jacques Delors Institute’s annual conference in Paris on Monday.

"If we are allies, we must act as such—and allies do not threaten to interfere in each other’s domestic political life and democratic choices," said Costa.

Costa reaffirmed that Europe and the US have differences in worldviews and "no longer share" the same vision of the international order.

Trump, however, told Politico that he intends to continue endorsing European political figures who share his views, even if such moves provoke pushback.

“I’d endorse. I’ve endorsed people, but I’ve endorsed people that a lot of Europeans don’t like. I’ve endorsed Viktor Orban,” he said, pointing to the Hungarian prime minister’s border policies as an example he admires.

He also raised concerns about migration in major European cities, describing London and Paris as under pressure. Using direct language, he called London Mayor Sadiq Khan a “disaster” and attributed his election to demographic changes.

“He gets elected because so many people have come in. They vote for him now,” said Trump.

Russia ‘in a stronger position than Ukraine’

Speaking on the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump said Russia is “obviously in a stronger position than Ukraine,” and noted he had provided a new draft peace plan that he said some Ukrainian officials had reviewed, though President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had not yet read it.

“It would be nice if he would read it,” he said.

European leaders met Zelenskyy on Monday and reiterated their opposition to any agreement requiring Ukraine to cede territory. Trump questioned the influence of Europe’s role in the negotiations.

“They talk, but they don’t produce, and the war just keeps going on and on,” he said.

‘I don’t want to rule in or out. I don’t talk about it,’ Trump on intervention in Venezuela

Trump signaled his administration may expand its military campaign against drug networks in Latin America, even as he promotes what he describes as a peace-focused foreign policy. He has already deployed significant US military assets to the Caribbean to target alleged drug traffickers and increase pressure on Venezuela’s government.

Trump was not committal on sending American ground troops into Venezuela to help remove President Nicolas Maduro.

“I don’t want to rule in or out. I don’t talk about it,” he said, adding that he would not publicly discuss military strategy.

Trump said he would consider using force against drug-related targets in other countries, specifically Mexico and Colombia

“Sure, I would,” he said.

On pardoning former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who had been convicted in a major drug-trafficking case, Trump said he knew “very little” about Hernandez but acted after being told by “very good people” that the former leader had been treated unfairly.

“They asked me to do it and I said, I’ll do it,” he said.

Türkiye perceived as difficult in NATO, but good to have

Trump said Türkiye is seen as a difficult country to deal with for NATO members, but emphasized it is good to have it in the alliance.

“There are countries that are difficult for NATO, not that they shouldn't be in. I think it's good to have them,” said Trump, giving Türkiye as an example of such a country.

He praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him "a friend of mine" and "a tough cookie."

"Whenever they (NATO countries) have a problem with Erdogan, they ask me to call because they can't speak to him," said Trump. "He's built a strong country and a strong military. But they have a hard time dealing with him."

Trump said when asked to call Erdogan, he does and works things out “quickly.”

"He is very different than a lot of the other leaders … they have a hard time with him," he added.

Asked if NATO should stop accepting new members, Trump responded: "Well, you know, there aren't that many left."

Domestic policies

On domestic issues, Trump defended his handling of the economy despite voter concerns about the cost of living.

He graded the economy’s performance as an “A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus” and asserted that “prices are all coming down. Everything is coming down,” even as federal data show inflation rising 3% in the past year, Politico reported, citing the most recent Consumer Price Index.

Trump confirmed that support for immediate interest-rate cuts would be a requirement for his next nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, answering “yes” when asked if it would serve as a litmus test.

The president did not commit to extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year, which could lead to significant premium increases in 2026.

“I don’t know. I’m gonna have to see,” he said, shifting to criticism of Democrats. When reminded that families are already budgeting for next year, he replied, “Don’t be dramatic. Don’t be dramatic.”

Trump also addressed pending Supreme Court rulings, including his effort to roll back US birthright citizenship.

He said it would be “devastating” if the Court ruled against him. He also urged two of the oldest conservative justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, to remain on the bench.

“I hope they stay … ’cause I think they’re fantastic,” he added.