Why Europe is worried about Trump's political weakening -. The New York Times. The Democrats' landslide victory brought quiet relief among Europeans, but little official jubilation, as the fate of Ukraine, Iran and NATO still hang in the balance. While the results of the midterm elections may hurt President Trump politically, he remains a hugely influential and unpredictable figure anxious to leave a legacy. After the crushing defeat of his Republican Party, European governments have largely avoided any official celebration, aware that they need to maintain good relations with Trump. They don't know if President Trump will turn into an angry lame duck. But officials and analysts say they understand the new Congress will have only limited influence on Trump's foreign policy. And they believe he wants to make his mark not only in Washington but also in foreign policy, where he has broad latitude. In the short term, European leaders expect Trump to do his best to resolve the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine and continue to pressure Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defense. "Europeans should try to keep the Trump administration involved in European affairs, so we don't want to make it worse by praising his defeat," said Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the Munich Security Conference. "Let the Americans celebrate. If we celebrate the victory of the opposition, then we are not doing our job." At the same time, he said, it is time for the Europeans to intensify their interaction with the United States. "There is a slight possibility that American decision-makers may discover a new interest in Europe, not as an unnecessary burden, but as an interesting and important ally."

Why Europe is worried about Trump's political weakening -. The New York Times. The Democrats' landslide victory brought quiet relief among Europeans, but little official jubilation, as the fate of Ukraine, Iran and NATO still hang in the balance. While the results of the midterm elections may hurt President Trump politically, he remains a hugely influential and unpredictable figure anxious to leave a legacy. After the crushing defeat of his Republican Party, European governments have largely avoided any official celebration, aware that they need to maintain good relations with Trump. They don't know if President Trump will turn into an angry lame duck. But officials and analysts say they understand the new Congress will have only limited influence on Trump's foreign policy. And they believe he wants to make his mark not only in Washington but also in foreign policy, where he has broad latitude. In the short term, European leaders expect Trump to do his best to resolve the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine and continue to pressure Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defense. "Europeans should try to keep the Trump administration involved in European affairs, so we don't want to make it worse by praising his defeat," said Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the Munich Security Conference. "Let the Americans celebrate. If we celebrate the victory of the opposition, then we are not doing our job." At the same time, he said, it is time for the Europeans to intensify their interaction with the United States. "There is a slight possibility that American decision-makers may discover a new interest in Europe, not as an unnecessary burden, but as an interesting and important ally."