US President Donald Trump’s comments by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have fueled concerns that the US may move away from Europe and align with Russia, potentially granting Vladimir Putin more power.
Putin has long sought to expand his influence in Europe, as he did in 2007 when he demanded a new balance of power that would be more suitable to Moscow. The comments by top Trump officials sparked fears among attendees at the annual security conference in Munich that the US might abandon its allies and allow Russia to dominate the continent.
Defense Secretary Hegseth warned European leaders not to assume the US would always be there, while Vice President Vance attacked democratic methods used by European nations to restrict far-right parties. Vance’s comments were seen as a threat to European democracy, with experts warning that the US is “out there to destroy you.”
The Kremlin has long sought to weaken Europe by boosting far-right movements and driving a wedge between the US and its allies. With Trump’s administration emboldening Putin, Russia may be on the verge of achieving its goal of weakening the EU.
Trump’s actions since returning to office have already weakened ties with European countries. The President has cut funding for the US foreign aid agency and appointed officials who align with Kremlin talking points. He has also exacerbated tensions with Europe by threatening trade wars and empowering figures like Elon Musk, who spreads false information beneficial to Russia.
The implications of Trump’s support for Putin are significant, with experts warning that European leaders are at their most vulnerable. The fate of the EU may depend on how far Trump’s deal-making with Putin goes, but one thing is clear: the US President has become a powerful ally for Vladimir Putin in his bid for more power in Europe.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/16/world/europe/vance-europe-putin-russia.html