Trump's Policy Triggers Tensions, Weakening US-European Relations

JAKARTA - European leaders are increasingly concerned about the approach of the United States government under President Donald Trump to trans-Atlantic relations, the pandemic reported by The Washington Post (WP).

The WP warned Washington's changing policies have weakened the foundations of the cooperation that has united the US-Europeans.

Just three years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine sparked a strong and coordinated response from the West, European policymakers are now afraid that US President Donald Trump's foreign policy weakening the unity, according to the report.

Reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, February 17, the US government is said to be pushing for conflict resolution with Russia without involving Europe.

In addition, the US demands that European countries send more troops to Ukraine, as well as establish ties with far-right leaders in ways that make traditional allies feel uncomfortable.

At the Munich Security Conference, US Vice President JD Vance and other officials conveyed Washington's strong message that it might reduce its military presence in Europe, the media report said.

NATO allies have left a meeting of defense ministers with concerns US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is considering the withdrawal of tens of thousands of US troops in the coming years, officials said.

Meanwhile, a 90-minute phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, which was carried out without prior consultation with NATO or Ukrainian allies, further reinforces fears the White House may start leaning towards Moscow's point of view in this war, the report added.

Amid increasing uncertainty, European leaders rushed to review their security strategy.

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to gather key European figures in Paris on Monday to discuss Ukraine's situation and a wider security landscape, while NATO allies are discussing the next steps to deal with Washington's changing stance.

European officials became increasingly anxious after Vance met Alice Weidel, leader of Germany's extreme far-right party Alternative f\"ur Deutschland (AfD), making her the highest-ranking US official to ever do so, according to the news report.

His speech in Munich, which criticized German mainstream parties for isolating AfD, drew criticism.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, accused Vance of "triggering conflict" with allies, while other leaders highlighted AfD's track record of frequently using nationalist rhetoric, according to the report.

In Ukraine, Trump's suspension of US aid has halted improvements to much-needed energy infrastructure, with Ukrainian officials warning a prolonged power outage could worsen as winter approaches.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed: "Days have passed when the United States supports Europe just because it has become a habit to do so."