Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Photo: David Silpa/UPI
At the Munich Security Conference, Donald Trump’s administration openly attacked the European Union, excluded it from negotiations over the war in Ukraine, and demonstrated its readiness to redefine transatlantic relations. Analysts quoted by Reuters, The New York Times and Politico warn: The US may be moving closer to Russia, which threatens the unity and security of Europe.
Back in 2007, at the same conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the need to reduce US influence and redistribute forces in Europe in favour of Moscow. At the time, his words were not supported. However, now, almost two decades later, Trump may actually help Putin implement this plan.
Washington’s attack on Europe
At the conference, US officials not only ignored their European partners, but also openly criticised the EU. In his speech in Warsaw, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth urged European leaders not to “rely” on the US presence in the region. And Vice President J.D. Vance said that the enemy for the United States is not Russia or China, but Europe itself.
Vance openly defended far-right movements, many of which have close ties to Moscow, and accused the EU of suppressing the “genuine expression of the people’s will”. He also sharply criticised the mechanisms for combating disinformation, which he considered “undemocratic”.
Support for the far right and the division of Europe
The US administration is also openly supporting European far-right movements that have historically been pro-Russian. Vance personally met with the leader of the German party Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has been repeatedly accused of collaborating with the Kremlin. This caused a wave of criticism in Germany, with some politicians calling Washington’s actions “unacceptable interference in domestic politics”.
Analysts at The New York Times point out that Russia has been trying to destabilise Europe for years by supporting right-wing movements, and now the Trump administration is actually facilitating this plan.
Excluding Europe from the Ukraine negotiations
Another alarming signal for the EU is the US intention to negotiate Ukraine without the participation of European countries. Trump’s special representative Keith Kellogg stated in Munich that “negotiations will be conducted only between Kyiv and Moscow”.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb has already criticised this position, stressing that “it is impossible to resolve the issue of Ukraine’s security without Europe”. The EU is considering holding an urgent summit in Paris to formulate a joint response.
Putin gains a strategic advantage
Experts agree that if the US distances itself from Europe, it will be Putin’s biggest geopolitical victory. The Russian president has repeatedly emphasised the need to destroy European security, and now the Trump administration, whether consciously or not, is contributing to this scenario.
American historian Timothy Garton Ash writes in The Guardian that Europe must respond quickly to new challenges and unite against external threats. At the same time, according to a senior EU diplomat who wished to remain anonymous, “the transatlantic alliance is over”. He emphasised: “We have a Russian president who wants to destroy Europe and a US president who wants to do the same.”
A test lies ahead for Europe, which for the first time in decades may be left without a key ally.
