According to Politico, this chat serves as a platform for rapid exchange of opinions and alignment of leaders' positions at moments when Trump takes actions that may be perceived in Europe as sharp or potentially destabilizing. Sources from the publication note that this form of communication is particularly useful when events unfold quickly, and traditional diplomatic methods cannot keep up with the changes.
The chat, dubbed the "Washington Group," was created after the visit of European leaders to the White House in August of last year, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was also present and participates in the discussions.
European leaders have shown restraint over the past year, reacting only to actual actions from the United States, which has facilitated coordination on Ukraine issues and the formation of a "coalition of the willing." However, according to Politico's sources, incidents surrounding Greenland and Trump's threats to impose tariffs became turning points: this led to increased calls for a tougher and more independent policy towards Washington.
The publication also emphasizes that informal ties between leaders have already begun to extend beyond operational responses to Trump's statements and are gradually forming the basis for deeper coordination in security and foreign policy. According to Politico's interlocutors, this format could prove significant in the context of the further weakening of the U.S. influence as the main guarantor of European security.
