Europe’s security debate has been transformed overnight.
After President Trump announced his 90-minute phone call with Russia’s dictator, Vladimir Putin, the 47th Commander-in-Chief sent a chill wind through European capitals as he made clear that he’s happy to negotiate away Ukrainian sovereignty and that the return of great power politics is back.
This was made worse by his newly confirmed Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, who, upon arriving in Europe for the first time since being confirmed, ruled out future Nato membership for Ukraine and said that it was ‘unrealistic’ to think Ukraine will ever get back Crimea and other territories Russia has occupied since 2014. He also made clear that he expects Europe to take the lead on supporting Ukraine, and that the US will be taking its eye off the continent as it focuses more on China.
As America begins its European retreat and Tulsi Gabbard – a notorious spreader of Russian disinformation narratives – is confirmed as the new US Director of National Intelligence, this has been Putin’s best week in a long time.
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