Trump Factor: Europe’s Divide and Its Gift to Putin

A Friendship Under Attack

For over 70 years, the US and Europe were strong friends (Trump Factor). They were partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This partnership was key to keeping the peace. It was a united front against any threat.

Today, this friendship is under attack. The US President, Donald Trump, has been very critical of Europe. He uses strong language. Trump calls the continent “weak” and “decaying.” He calls the leaders “politically correct.”

This fighting between old friends is not just a family disagreement. This widening gap is a huge gift to Vladimir Putin. The Russian President wants nothing more than to see the Western alliance broken. When the US and Europe fight, Putin wins without firing a single shot.

Reason One: NATO Unity is Broken Trump Factor

The main power of NATO is its unity. When all members speak with one voice, they are very strong. The US President’s constant criticism breaks this unity.

• Questioning Article 5: The President has often questioned Article 5 of the NATO treaty. This article says that an attack on one member is an attack on all. This promise is the core of NATO. When the US President questions this, it makes the promise look shaky.
• Encouraging Disunity: The new US security plan criticizes Europe. It even encourages “resistance” to the European Union (EU) from within. It supports far-right parties that want to break up the EU. This is a direct attack on European unity.
• Putin’s Goal: Russia has always wanted to see NATO fail. Putin wants to deal with small, separate European countries. He does not want to face a united group of 32 nations led by the US. A broken NATO means he can pressure countries one by one.

The rift makes Europe feel alone. It forces them to worry about their ally, not just their enemy.

Reason Two: Weakening Ukraine Support Trump Factor

The war in Ukraine is the most important issue now. The US and Europe must work together to help Ukraine. The division between them makes this help much weaker.

• Europe is Blamed: The US President says Europe “talks too much” but does not give enough money or weapons to Ukraine. This makes the European effort look bad.
• Pushing for a Quick Deal: The US administration is clearly pushing for a quick end to the war. They have offered a peace plan that some experts say favors Russia. This plan asks Ukraine to make territorial concessions (give up land). Europe largely opposes forcing Ukraine to give up its land.
• Creating Pressure: This difference of opinion creates huge pressure on Ukraine’s leader. It forces him to choose between a quick, bad deal supported by the US or a long, costly fight supported by a divided Europe.

Putin benefits greatly from this. He believes that if he just waits, the Western alliance will fall apart. Then, the US will force Ukraine to accept his terms. He sees time as his friend.

Reason Three: Focusing on Domestic Problems

The US national security plan contains a deep criticism of Europe’s immigration policies. The plan says Europe faces “civilizational erasure” because of migration.

• Distraction from Russia: This criticism turns the attention away from Russia. It makes Europe focus on its own domestic problems. European leaders must spend time defending their social and political systems against their main ally. Trump Factor
• Shared Values Are Gone: The US is now attacking the basic values of democratic Europe. The President criticizes their rules on free speech and the media. This makes Europe doubt that the US shares the same core values anymore. When values are not shared, the alliance is just a business deal. Putin wants the West to look like it is only interested in money, not principles. Trump Factor

This focus on migration and cultural issues plays into Russia’s hands. Russia loves to see the West fight over social issues instead of fighting against Russian aggression. Trump Factor

Reason Four: Undermining Global Rules Trump Factor

The US is trying to rewrite the rules of global trade and security. This is another gift to Putin.

• Bilateral Deals: The President prefers one-on-one deals to big, multilateral alliances like the EU or NATO. This weakens the international rules that Russia has often ignored. Trump Factor
• Economic Advantage: The US wants Europe to buy more US energy and US military equipment. It wants Europe to stop buying Russian gas. This is a fight over money and trade, not just security. This transactional view of the world is what Putin understands best. It makes the US look like it is only interested in profit, not principles. Trump Factor

By pushing Europe away, the US is helping Russia challenge the entire global system that America itself built after the Second World War. Trump Factor

The Widening Trump Europe Rift

The widening Trump Europe rift is a clear advantage for Vladimir Putin. The President’s harsh words and new policies are directly undermining NATO unity and the effort to help Ukraine. By calling Europe “weak,” the US encourages Russia to be bolder. The focus on Europe’s domestic flaws distracts from the threat that Russia poses. To counter this, Europe must urgently increase its own defense spending. It must also work to keep the transatlantic alliance alive. Without a strong, united front between the US and Europe, Putin will continue to win the geopolitical battle of division. Trump Factor

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