Donald Trump’s recent criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlights his preference for power over alliances, alarming U.S. allies. Trump’s approach marks a significant departure from traditional U.S. foreign policy, where promoting democracy and supporting allies have been core tenets. During an Oval Office meeting, he chastised Zelensky, questioning Ukraine’s strength despite ongoing Russian aggression. As Trump advocates prioritizing self-interest like Russia and China, experts warn this shift could weaken democratic movements globally. European leaders expressed concern, especially for former Soviet nations and Taiwan, as Trump’s stance raises questions about U.S. commitments to allies facing threats.
Washington:
By criticizing the leader of Ukraine, Donald Trump is highlighting his prioritization of power over relationships, delivering a troubling message to America’s network of global allies.
Over the past eighty years since World War II, the United States has aimed to steer a global order by upholding international standards and safeguarding democracies in Europe and East Asia, in addition to supporting oil-rich Gulf Arab monarchies.
US presidents, who have often dubbed themselves “leaders of the free world,” have previously reduced or severed aid to reliant partners, including Afghanistan, South Vietnam, and Taiwan during the establishment of relations with Beijing.
However, there was little comparison to the intense, televised confrontation that occurred last Friday in the Oval Office, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has depended on Western backing during the ongoing Russian invasion.
Vance accused Zelensky of not showing gratitude for the billions in US aid, while Trump highlighted the ally’s vulnerabilities, angrily telling him, “You don’t have the cards.”
Days prior, Trump announced that he was implementing a “decisive break” from previous US foreign policy, which he labeled as “foolish” and responsible for “the deaths of many, many people.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged the United States to adopt a self-interested approach similar to that of Russia and China, contrasting with former president Joe Biden’s strategy of nurturing alliances to amplify US influence.
– ‘Profound shift’ on democracy –
Trump has consistently portrayed NATO allies as trading opponents who benefit from the US military without contributing, although last week he expressed support for the alliance’s mutual defense agreements.
He ridiculed Zelensky as a “dictator” for not holding elections since the onset of the invasion, while commending Vladimir Putin, who has held power in Russia for 25 years as either president or prime minister.
Trump has further indicated a willingness to consider military action to take Greenland and the Panama Canal, asserting that the United States, like Russia, should take what it desires.
While Washington’s advocacy for democracy has been “rightly accused of hypocrisy,” Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, stated that there is now a blatant absence of even the pretense that the United States upholds those values.
“This shift is likely to be detrimental to emerging democracies worldwide, democratic movements, and human rights. Therefore, I consider this a significant change in the international order,” he commented.
Bergmann also noted that Trump is giving a “real opening” to rival China.
“The United States has been trying to convince nations that entering agreements with China may lead to betrayal, yet here we have the US committing the ultimate betrayal by completely reversing its support for a democracy at war,” he said.
– Message on Taiwan? –
European leaders quickly indicated a need to bolster their defense capabilities independent of the United States. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock declared that following the “unspeakable” incident in the White House, a “new age of infamy has begun.”
Countries that felt the most significant impact include former Soviet bloc nations that eagerly joined NATO for protection against Moscow, as well as Taiwan, the self-governing democracy claimed by Beijing.
Trump remarked on Monday that a Chinese invasion would lead to a “catastrophic event” as Taiwanese chip-making giant TSMC revealed a $100 billion investment plan in the United States.
Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the German Marshall Fund’s Indo-Pacific program, stated that Taiwan “has reason to be nervous.” In contrast to Ukraine, which enjoys support from nearly all of Europe, Taiwan is entirely reliant on the United States for its weaponry.
Yet she noted that economic factors differentiate the situations and pointed to Taiwan’s pivotal role as the foremost global chipmaker and a significant investor.
As Trump said to Zelensky, “Taiwan has cards,” Glaser remarked — although the US president himself suggested on Monday that the TSMC deal could somewhat alleviate that situation.
Joshua Rovner, a political scientist at American University, indicated that Trump perceives uncertainty as part of his strategy and, during his first term, despite his criticisms of Europe, actually increased US troop levels on the continent.
“Trump’s rhetoric can be interpreted in numerous ways,” Rovner observed.
“What truly matters is his ultimate actions regarding US military forces.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)