Europe Moves Away From U. S. Support Amid Trump Chaos

In Munich, the air felt tense as European leaders gathered to discuss the long‑running war in Ukraine. Four years earlier, U.S. officials had arrived with satellite images and intercepted Russian conversations that warned of an imminent invasion. European officials largely dismissed the evidence, claiming it was a bluff from President Putin. That war began just days later and is now in its fifth year.

A Role Reversal

• U.S. Stance: Only a handful of U.S. officials, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are negotiating to stop the fighting before addressing other topics.
• European Perspective: Even a cease‑fire or peace deal will not end Putin’s broader campaign of sabotage across the continent, and his ambitions may extend beyond Ukraine.

Clashing Interests

Over the past year, Washington and Europe have clashed over:

• Tariffs
• Greenland sovereignty
• Free speech for right‑wing parties
• Trump’s warning that Europe faces “civilizational erasure” if it does not control its borders

These disputes have hidden a deeper shift: several European leaders now talk about de‑risking from the United States.

De‑Risking: A New Lens

Traditionally, de‑risking described reducing dependence on China or fragile supply chains for Russian oil and critical minerals. It is now being applied to the U.S., with Europeans warning of threats that American speeches never acknowledged. One key concern is Trump’s unpredictability.

Rubio’s Diplomatic Tone

Rubio’s speech on Saturday aimed to calm European nerves. He spoke in a more diplomatic tone than Vice President J.D. Vance did last year from the same stage, emphasizing Europe’s historical ties to North America rather than criticizing far‑right repression. While some of Vance’s themes resurfaced, the softer delivery made it easier for a European audience to accept.

• Limited Reference to Russia: Rubio hardly mentioned Russia, the main security worry for Europeans.
• No Warning to Putin: Even though a few hours earlier U.S. allies had accused the Kremlin of using a banned toxin to kill opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison two years ago.
• Missing U.S. Backing: Diplomats later noted that the lack of Washington’s backing on intelligence was significant.

A New Strategic Landscape

The conference highlighted how European leaders are rethinking their reliance on the U.S., looking instead to diversify alliances and reduce vulnerability in a changing global landscape.