Trump’s Return: A Disturbing Shift in US Diplomacy
Upon his return to power, one of Donald Trump’s initial acts was to reinstill a bronze bust of the iconic Sir Winston Churchill in the Oval Office. The great statesman’s gaze seemed to bear down heavily on the U.S. President as he attempted to publicly belittle the leader who has, more than anyone in recent memory, embodied unwavering wartime resilience. It is almost unfathomable to conceive of Franklin Roosevelt mocking Churchill for donning his signature boiler suit during a White House visit. Nor could one imagine Roosevelt urging Churchill to place his trust in Adolf Hitler while attempting to coerce him into a peace agreement that could leave a significant portion of our nation under Nazi control, devoid of any security assurances against further assaults.
This momentous occasion was set against the backdrop of a date that will be forever etched in infamy, reminiscent of Roosevelt’s words regarding another dark chapter in American history. There sat the overbearing U.S. President, who sought to undermine democracy, lecturing Ukraine’s resolute leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, on the necessity of pursuing a peace deal. Trump urged Zelensky to trust his duplicitous ally, Vladimir Putin, expressing discontent over Zelensky’s justified disdain for a regime that has ravaged his homeland. “It feels so surreal,” messaged a friend from Kyiv, drawing a stark comparison between her profound shock at this betrayal and the chilling day of the full-scale invasion nearly three years ago.
Trump’s equally alarming ally, JD Vance, who has publicly stated indifference towards Ukraine, exhibited even more appalling behavior. Nevertheless, that shocking display—an event that Trump accurately described as compelling yet cringe-worthy television—was not the most troubling instance of Washington’s diplomatic landscape last week. Far more disheartening was the U.S. alignment with Russia at the United Nations, supported by Belarus and North Korea, in resisting any condemnation of Moscow’s aggression towards Ukraine. Even China abstained from the vote. How much more blatant can this grotesque American president be in demonstrating his allegiance to Putin, his disdain for Ukraine, and his contempt for Europe as he dismantles any semblance of U.S. moral authority on the global stage?
In response, a café in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro began offering a “Smash Trump” breakfast, featuring butter molded in the shape of the President’s head. Meanwhile, Zelensky, who has maintained a remarkable level of dignity amidst the chaos, finds himself in a precarious situation. Should he secure a reasonable peace agreement or sufficient funding to sustain Ukraine’s military efforts, he could solidify his status as a wartime leader. However, failure to acquire necessary resources and if the frontlines begin to falter, the sentiment of his battered, bloodied, and weary nation could swiftly turn against him.
Such developments have been disheartening for those who held onto the belief that the U.S., despite its flaws, was fundamentally driven by democratic ideals. It now appears to be under the sway of an insecure egotist, demanding loyalty from a cadre of hustlers as he seeks to seize unchecked domestic powers, intimidate international allies, and cozy up to authoritarian figures. Trump perceives the world as a playground for strongmen, drawing increasingly uncomfortable parallels with Russia’s regime in his worldview, dissemination of falsehoods, and facilitation of oligarchs who exploit the state.
There are mounting concerns in Washington that his devoted followers may attempt to alter the Constitution to allow him to run for a third term, a tactic historically employed by dictators, including Putin.
The New Reality: Trusting the U.S. as an Ally
Britain and Europe must confront a shocking new reality: the United States can no longer be counted upon as a reliable ally, and NATO has been rendered ineffectual at a time when Russia, bolstered by the world’s most oppressive regimes, is rampaging through Ukraine, committing atrocities accompanied by cyber-attacks, sabotage, and the spread of disinformation across the West. Moscow increasingly resorts to hiring mercenaries to assist; recent reports highlight Russian-linked Telegram channels offering monetary rewards for assaults on British mosques and Muslim communities. Our adversary is being bolstered by the cabal governing the world’s most powerful nation, whether it be Trump echoing Putin’s propaganda or his aides amplifying pro-Moscow rhetoric.
So, what steps can we take? First and foremost, we must do everything in our power to support Ukraine, as it stands on the frontline of our continent’s struggle for democracy. I would advocate for sending troops to assist with air defense in western Ukraine against Russian drones and missiles, thereby freeing more Ukrainian forces for frontline combat. Additionally, we should offer an army of civilian engineers to aid in the repair of bombed infrastructure. Europe must mobilize significantly more financial resources and military aid, shaming nations such as Ireland, Italy, and Spain that fail to back their supportive rhetoric with adequate contributions.
It is notable that while Britain, France, and Germany are not among the top ten donors in terms of GDP percentage, they contribute four times less proportionately than the most generous nations. Britain is poised to sign a £2.26 billion loan agreement with Kyiv utilizing frozen Russian assets to facilitate weapon production. This is a positive step. Yet, approximately £300 billion remains largely trapped in European financial systems; these funds should be allocated to Ukraine as reparations for the devastation wrought by Moscow.
Domestically, we must escalate defense spending far beyond the 2.5 percent of national income recently announced, mirroring Poland’s commitment to nearly double that figure, even if it means sacrificing some long-held financial priorities to secure the necessary funding. Rapid modernization of our armed forces is essential, learning from the rapidly evolving battlefields of Ukraine while addressing inefficient defense procurement processes. It will take at least a decade to prepare Europe for independent defense.
Many of us have cautioned about Russia’s threat since the annexation of Crimea eleven years ago, while neighboring states have never doubted its imperial aspirations. Europe can express its disdain for Trump’s antics and cease flattering his ego. However, the primary focus must remain on unrelentingly assisting Kyiv, which urgently requires food, arms, and financial support, rather than virtue signaling on social media. It is now indisputable that the President of the nation that has long been our closest ally is unpredictable, untrustworthy, and pandering to our continent’s most destructive enemy.
