After late-night talks on Thursday between Steve Wittkof and Putin on a proposed 30-day Ukraine ceasefire, Putin praised Trump for “doing everything” to improve US-Russia ties.
Trump is rekindling ties with Putin, which is basically undoing America’s years of efforts to isolate Russia. But their so-called chummy friendship isn’t about shared interests alone, it’s rooted in a “shared hostility” toward Europe.
For Trump, the EU is a trade cartel blocking American business. For Putin, it’s a geopolitical rival keeping Russia out. Both reject democratic nations pooling sovereignty, instead they prefer division and dominance. As a result, the world stands fractured today—Europe, Russia, China, and the U.S.
The once-powerful Western Alliance has been stripped of its substance, and Europe feels this shift deeply, perhaps emotionally.
America’s Central Role in Europe’s Rebirth
From post-WWII reconstruction to Cold War victories, the U.S. was a central force in rebuilding Europe. Kennedy’s 1963 declaration, “Ich bin ein Berliner,” and Reagan’s 1987 challenge to “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” were defining moments. For decades, the U.S. wasn’t just an ally but a “European power.”
US and EU relations are beyond the Military Alliance
Trump has claimed that the European Union was “formed in order to screw the US.” This remark perfectly shows his narrow, zero-sum worldview. Europe and America share more than military ties. In 2023 alone, trade between the EU and the U.S. hit $1.22 trillion, with $4.8 billion flowing across the Atlantic daily.
The Trump-Putin Ghastly Vision for Europe
Trump and Putin’s close bond envisions a weakened Ukraine under puppet rule. Their ideal Europe is weak, divided, and easily exploited. A fragmented EU and sidelined NATO serve their interests. While many European leaders have begun to share a strong sense of threat, urgency, and purpose, they still lack a single figure to lead them.
Possibility of the US leaving NATO
At this stage, Europe is not being entirely defined by NATO either. Instead, it is evolving into a “coalition of the willing.” The continent thrived on economic ties and relied on NATO, whose security backbone is the US. Therefore, the possibility of the US leaving NATO, which is very likely, would leave Europe dangerously exposed.
U.S. Military Exit from Eastern Europe
With over 100,000 U.S. troops in Europe, including 10,000 in Poland, a partial or full withdrawal would upend regional security. As Trump and Putin are reshaping global alliances, Europe may soon face this reality alone.