The Trump administration has unveiled a new National Security Strategy that takes unusually sharp aim at America’s European allies, calls for an end to NATO’s continued expansion and urges a quick end to the war in Ukraine. The document, signed by President Donald Trump and published in early December 2025, marks a significant break from decades of US policy toward Europe.
Harsh words for Europe
The strategy says US policy should “correct” the “current trajectory” of European nations. It accuses the European Union and “other transnational bodies” of “civilizational erasure” through migration and censorship policies, and argues that European governments are ignoring the will of their people, including in their support for Ukraine. At the same time, it praises the rise of “patriotic” European parties.
The document insists Europe must “stand on its own feet” and take responsibility for its own defense, with allies expected to spend 5 percent of GDP on defense or risk reduced US military support. Its tone echoes Vice President JD Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference in February, where he named migration and free speech as Europe’s biggest security problems while playing down threats from Russia and China.
Ukraine, Russia and NATO
The strategy says it is in America’s interest to “negotiate an expeditious cessation of hostilities in Ukraine,” linking an end to the war to Ukraine’s recovery, the stability of European economies and the goal to “reestablish strategic stability with Russia.” It treats Ukraine as part of a broader European-Russian settlement rather than as a separate security priority, and says US diplomacy should help reduce the risk of conflict between European countries and Moscow.
It also calls for ending the perception of “NATO as a perpetually expanding alliance,” a stance that offers a bleak outlook for Ukraine’s bid to join the alliance.
Focus shifts to China and the Americas
The strategy names China as the main systemic rival, makes deterrence around Taiwan a key task and treats the Western Hemisphere as a US zone of dominance. Built around the idea of “Peace Through Strength,” it prioritizes border control, reindustrialization, energy dominance and the Golden Dome missile defense system.
The document landed amid rising tension across the Atlantic. In a leaked call, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Washington was “playing games” with Europe and Ukraine, while French President Emmanuel Macron warned the US could “betray Ukraine” on territory.
Sources
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