US European relationships according to Trump and Putin changed forever

US European relationships according to Trump and Putin changed forever

The American era in Europe is over. Two geopolitical shock waves on Wednesday will fundamentally change the transatlantic relationships. These developments are shown in a phone call by Donald Trump with Vladimir Putin, in which the two leaders forged plans to terminate the war in Ukraine and agreed to exchange state visits. At the same time, the US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth emphasized the responsibility of European partners in Brussels and asked them to take over their conventional security themselves.

The end of transatlantic expectations

These turning points illustrate Trump's "America First" ideology and its perspective, to consider every topic or alliance as a financial advantage. While Hegseth committed himself to NATO again, something fundamental has changed. The United States interventions won two world wars in the 20th century and guaranteed the freedom of Europe to the Soviet threat. However, Trump expressed that he could not defend alliance members who do not invest sufficiently in defense.

Hegseth's surprisingly direct announcement

The second Trump government will expect new requirements from European partners, which will lead to difficult decisions for governments that have brought social expenses to defense spending. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte appealed to the European Parliament to provide more funds for his own military. "If not, then you can learn Russian or move to New Zealand," he said. Hegseth formalized Trump's claim to the member states to spend 5% of the GDP for defense and made it clear that the United States will focus on the growing conflict with China and its own security.

The new American priorities

This hard attitude differs greatly from Trump's idea of driving out the Palestinians from Gaza to create the "Riviera of the Middle East". It is a rational reaction to changed political realities. The "Greatest Generation", which fought and produced in the Second World War and produced president who recognized the dangers of a power vacuum in Europe, is no longer. In addition, the most powerful competitor in the United States is today in Asia and not in Europe. Therefore, it is only fair that Trump asks why the continent has still taken no responsibility for his own defense 80 years after the defeat of the Nazis.

The challenge of Europe

Succession presidents and European leaders have failed to rethink NATO for the 21st century. In retrospect, the transatlantic alliance has significantly exposed to the current American president, who has been the most nationalist and most transactional since the 19th century. In an interview, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed that the United States should not be the “front front” of European security, but rather “protection”. These views reflect a growing distancing of the United States from traditional multilateralistic foreign policy.

Ukraine and the new reality

The first test of this new US Europe reality will come via Ukraine. Trump announced that negotiations to end the Ukraine War "immediately" begin after his phone call with Putin. Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj was not included, which is alarming for the government in Kiev. Commercial reporting already indicates that Trump may develop a solution that favors Russia.

The warning of European leaders

France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, the European Union and Great Britain have warned that "Ukraine and Europe must be part of every negotiation" and that a fair and permanent peace solution in Ukraine is a necessary prerequisite for strong transatlantic security. The historical parallel to the negotiations before World War II cannot be overlooked: the fear that powerful leaders are negotiating less power of their interests.

The possible consequences

Trump operates a strategy that could not only bring Ukraine, but also Europe in an uncertain location. His positions and demands indicate that the United States may agree to peace that legitimizes the territorial profits of Russia, which could create dangerous precedents for future conflicts. These developments could result in far -reaching consequences for the geopolitical landscape of Europe and create an image of instability and uncertainty that is reminiscent of the dark days of history.