Amid growing concerns about Europe’s sluggish response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, former Acting U.S. Attorney General and Ambassador Matthew Whitaker emphasized the urgent need for European nations to “do more” in supporting Kyiv and strengthening NATO’s collective defense strategy. Speaking after his return from Ukraine, where he led a delegation of seven NATO ambassadors, Whitaker painted a vivid picture of the situation on the ground, Europe’s challenges, and the evolving nature of modern warfare.
Whitaker stated that his visit to Ukraine provided firsthand insight into how U.S.-supplied weapons are being deployed by NATO allies and Ukrainian forces. “Europe needs to do more,” he said. “We are pushing them every single day at NATO to do two things—support Ukraine and take greater responsibility for their own defense. This is a European war, and it should be financed by Europeans.”
He added that Europe must also “invest more and faster” in rebuilding its defense industrial base to meet wartime demands. Many European nations, Whitaker noted, face systemic challenges that hinder their ability to ramp up defense production, including bureaucratic bottlenecks and outdated infrastructure. “They aren’t meeting the moment,” he warned. “And they need to—this is critical right now for the alliance.”
Whitaker described Ukraine as the “battle lab of the future,” where the real-world performance of weapons systems is being tested under modern combat conditions. “Seeing how weapons perform—or fail to perform—on the battlefield is essential,” he said. “We need to learn those lessons so that, in the unlikely event we enter another conflict, we are fully prepared for what modern warfare looks like.”
He emphasized that the old military adage—that generals prepare for the last war rather than the next one—must not be repeated. “Ukraine is showing us that the wars of the future are about drones, missiles, and electronic warfare—not just machine guns and tanks,” he said.
When asked about how these lessons apply to U.S. defense strategy, Whitaker explained that preventing the flow of advanced weaponry, such as one-way attack drones and missiles, is now a top priority. “The United States, with the most powerful economy in the world, would fight wars very differently,” he said. “But there are a lot of lessons to learn—particularly about air defense, speed of response, and protecting our citizens. Our national strength and our NATO alliance will ensure lasting peace.”
On the diplomatic front, Whitaker praised President Donald Trump’s announcement that Kazakhstan will be joining the Abraham Accords, calling it a major milestone in the ongoing process of Middle East normalization. “This shows that Trump remains a peacemaker,” Whitaker remarked. “The Abraham Accords created a framework for normalizing relations between Israel and the Muslim world, which has brought remarkable cooperation across the region.”
He added that Kazakhstan’s inclusion builds further diplomatic bridges that can help stabilize the broader region, including fragile peace efforts involving Hamas. “This is a bridge-building approach that ensures nations are not fighting wars against Israel,” he said. “It helps prevent the conflagrations that Trump inherited from the last administration.”
Whitaker also reiterated Trump’s stance that “peace must be the solution” in Ukraine, emphasizing that “four years of war is four years too many.” According to him, the Ukrainian people remain “brave, resilient, and innovative,” but the path forward must now focus on negotiations and reconstruction, not endless escalation.
As Europe faces mounting pressure to strengthen its commitment to Ukraine and reform its defense industry, Whitaker’s comments serve as both a warning and a roadmap. “Europe has the capacity and the obligation to step up,” he concluded. “The transatlantic alliance depends on it—and the lessons from Ukraine will define the future of global security.”
Disclaimer:The information presented in this article is based on recent public statements and interviews with Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, along with verified updates regarding U.S., NATO, and global diplomatic developments. The article reflects factual reporting and analysis intended for informational purposes only. It does not represent any official stance of the U.S. government, NATO, or any affiliated organization. Readers are advised to consult multiple sources for a comprehensive understanding of ongoing geopolitical and defense-related issues.
