Hysteria has swept through Europe following the recent return of Donald Trump to the White House, just weeks after his administration took office. The reaction has been particularly intense after visits from Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, which prompted a dramatic response from top European officials. French President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency summit of key leaders to address growing concerns over the U.S. approach to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, but the meeting yielded little more than complaints.
Ukraine and its European allies are voicing fears that a peace deal between the U.S. and Russia could plunge Europe into a new Dark Age. The possibility of a U.S.-Russia peace agreement raises alarms among NATO members, who worry about losing the security guarantees they have long relied on from Washington. Many European governments, which have insisted that Ukraine’s defeat would lead to a renewed Russian threat across the continent, are now scrambling to explain their failure to bolster their own defense spending.
For decades, the United States has shouldered the burden of European defense, often to the chagrin of American officials. Despite repeated calls from Washington for increased military expenditures, European nations have remained reluctant to invest adequately in their own defense, relying instead on U.S. support. This dynamic has persisted even as American leaders, including Joe Biden, have reassured Europe of continued U.S. backing, regardless of European contributions.
Trump’s return to power has disrupted this status quo. His administration is demanding that European nations take greater responsibility for their defense, a shift that has been met with resistance and confusion among European leaders. Following a three-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Trump has initiated direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move critics argue should have occurred much earlier during Biden’s presidency.
Hegseth’s recent statements have further unsettled European leaders, as he emphasized the need for Ukraine to make territorial concessions to achieve peace. He also pointed out that the U.S. would not engage in military action to defend Ukraine, a sentiment echoed by many European leaders who are hesitant to commit troops to the conflict. The reality is that most Europeans do not share the desire to fight for Ukraine, expecting the U.S. to take the lead.
In response to these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed frustration, particularly at the notion that peace negotiations could proceed without Ukraine’s involvement. He has called for the establishment of a European military force, acknowledging that dependence on American support may no longer be viable. However, the feasibility of such a force is questionable, as many European nations are currently struggling with their own military readiness and capabilities.
The political landscape in Europe complicates matters further. As right-wing parties gain traction across the continent, public support for military engagement is dwindling. Leaders like Macron, who position themselves as champions of European unity, face significant challenges in commanding domestic support for increased defense spending or military intervention.
While some European leaders have suggested proceeding with a peacekeeping force in Ukraine without U.S. involvement, the logistical challenges of such a mission loom large. The United Kingdom, despite having the most capable military in Europe, lacks the numbers and resources to undertake such a commitment independently.
As discussions about Europe’s security future unfold, the U.S. administration is contemplating a phased withdrawal of American troops from the continent. This transition would require European nations to step up and develop their own military capabilities, a process that could take years. Washington’s approach should shift from micromanaging European defense policies to allowing European nations to determine their own military strategies and spending.
Ultimately, the current geopolitical landscape demands a reevaluation of transatlantic relations. The U.S. must recognize that Europe is capable of managing its own defense and should encourage its allies to take on greater responsibility. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine serves as a stark reminder that the era of unquestioned American dominance in European defense may be coming to an end, ushering in a new phase of self-reliance for European nations.