Recent statements from U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have sparked concerns that the United States may shift away from its traditional European alliances and move closer to Russia. This potential realignment could fulfill a long-held ambition of Russian President Vladimir Putin: a restructured European power balance more favorable to Moscow.
Back in 2007, at the Munich Security Conference, Putin called for a rollback of American dominance in Europe. His demand was largely dismissed at the time. However, nearly two decades later, remarks from top officials in President Trump’s administration have signaled that such a shift might now be within reach.
A New Direction for U.S. Foreign Policy?
At the recent Munich Security Conference, statements from Vance and Hegseth raised alarms among European leaders. Hegseth, speaking in Warsaw before the conference, warned that Europe should not assume indefinite American military support. Later, Vance went further, arguing that Europe itself—not Russia or China—posed a greater concern for the U.S. He criticized European governments for suppressing far-right parties, some of which have ties to Moscow, and insisted that they should be allowed to thrive as expressions of democratic will.
“If you’re afraid of your own voters, there’s nothing America can do for you,” Vance asserted, emphasizing a hands-off approach that many interpret as a U.S. withdrawal from its leadership role in European security.
Strengthening Moscow’s Influence
Vance’s criticism extended to Romania, where a court recently annulled a presidential election in which an ultranationalist, allegedly backed by Russian influence operations, was leading. He dismissed concerns over foreign meddling, stating, “If your democracy can be destroyed with a few hundred thousand dollars of digital advertising, then it wasn’t very strong to begin with.”
His comments align with longstanding Kremlin strategies to bolster far-right movements across Europe. In a move that further deepened European anxieties, Vance also met with the leader of Germany’s extreme right-wing party, which has benefited from Russian political backing.
Moscow has long sought to weaken European unity and sever U.S.-European ties. A Washington pivot away from NATO and European alliances could grant Putin the geopolitical victory he has pursued for years—without the need for direct military confrontation.
A Fracturing Europe
As the Trump administration signals a departure from traditional commitments, European nations find themselves in a precarious position. Germany and France, historically key players in countering Russian aggression, face domestic political turmoil with rising populist movements that echo Trump’s rhetoric. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU—an outcome that Trump endorsed—has weakened its influence on the continent.
With U.S. foreign policy shifting, Trump’s approach to Russia remains uncertain. While some anticipate that upcoming negotiations on Ukraine may alter this trajectory, others warn that the administration’s current stance could accelerate the unraveling of the Euro-Atlantic alliance.
A Turning Point for Global Power
Trump’s second term has already yielded major strategic wins for Moscow. His administration has dismantled U.S.A.I.D., a key foreign aid agency opposed by the Kremlin, and appointed officials who echo Russian narratives, including new intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard. Simultaneously, Trump has threatened trade wars with European allies, further straining transatlantic relations.
As the largest conflict in Europe since World War II unfolds, Trump’s decisions—possibly made without European leaders at the table—will shape the continent’s future security landscape. European officials fear that the convergence of Trump’s policies and Putin’s ambitions could mark a turning point that reshapes global power dynamics.
“This is the moment of greatest vulnerability for Europe,” warned Nathalie Tocci, director of the Institute for International Affairs in Rome. “If the goal is to dismantle the European project, now is the time to do it.”