European leaders express concern over the shifting dynamics of US foreign policy under President Trump, suggesting that Europe's security landscape is more vulnerable than ever.
In February 2025, US Vice President J. D. Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference served as a warning sign for the radical changes that Donald Trump was planning for US foreign policy. Now, European leaders, diplomats, and military officials are back on the same stage with a recognition that many of the worst predictions about these changes have come to fruition, revealing a precarious geopolitical climate.
The predominant assessment among European diplomats is that the continent is experiencing one of its most vulnerable moments since the end of the Cold War. On one hand, Europe continues to be pressured by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On the other, the questions about the security guarantees that Europe had relied on since the end of World War II are now being challenged, leading to concerns about the stability and funding of welfare states within the bloc. This evolving situation indicates a significant shift in the historical context that has shaped Europe's reliance on US support.
An organizer of the forum stressed the urgent crossroads facing Europe, suggesting that "the holidays of history are over." This metaphor implies that Europe can no longer sit back in complacency, as the shifting partnership with the USA brings the potential for instability. The implications of this geopolitical shift are profound, challenging Europe to re-evaluate its security strategies and alliances in a rapidly changing international landscape.
