Four Years and Five Weeks

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Trump announces the end of the transatlantic alliance

First it was Emmanuel Macron, putting his hand on Trump’s knee as he publicly corrected Trump in the Oval Office, in the presence of cameras, on the fact that Europe’s contributions to support Ukraine were (a) grants, not loans, and (b) larger than the contributions made by the US. Trump, in turn, tried to toss out his well-worn talking points, but the damage was done. Trump was called out by a foreign leader as a liar, in his very own office and seat of power.

Then it was Keir Starmer, waving a fancy invitation from King Charles to a state dinner, who did exactly the same thing. He publicly corrected Trump in the Oval Office, in the presence of cameras, on Europe’s support for Ukraine. Again, Trump hemmed and hawwed, and embraced the (Starmer: “unprecedented!”) invitation to a second state visit, but the damage was done. Trump was called out by a second foreign leader as a liar, in his very own office and seat of power.

You had to know this would not sit well.

As network after network played the clip of Macron’s hand on Trump’s knee, after all the networks showed Trump fawning over the Bright Shiny Thing that Starmer dangled in front of him, as Starmer very politely called Trump a liar, everyone knew that this would not end well.

And today, it was Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s turn . . . and as anyone with half a brain could anticipate, it *did* not end well.

Personally, I was amused by J.D. Vance’s holier-than-thou whining about Zelenskyy making a benign appearance in Pennsylvania saying “thank you” to the US for their support and calling it Election Interference. I don’t remember Vance taking up umbrage when the head of DOGE Elon Musk appeared and spoke at the national political rally of the neo-Nazi Alternative for Germany (AfD) party just days ahead of the recent German election, and who repeatedly praised the AfD via Xitter. After the AfD came in second, with a sizable caucus in the new Bundestag, Musk called the head of the AfD to offer congratulations and called her party the future of Germany, and Vance’s reaction was *crickets*.

Well, to be scrupulously fair, that’s not true. He *did* say something, but rather than condemning such interference, Vance joined it. At the Munich Security Conference, Vance praised the AfD (not by name but by lauding their political positions on immigration and other policies) and attacked mainstream German political parties for refusing to work with the AfD.

Americans might not have been listening to all of this, but the Europeans were – especially the Germans – and they knew exactly who Vance was praising. After the German elections, the victorious chancellor-elect made a stunning statement. From Deutsche Welle:

After his party’s victory in the election was confirmed Sunday night, [CDU party leader Friedrich] Merz said that he wanted to work on creating unity in Europe as quickly as possible, “so that, step by step, we can achieve independence from the US.”

Until recently, this would have been a highly unusual thing for any leader of the CDU to say. After all, it has always had a strong affinity for the US.

“Merz aligns himself with the legacy of historical CDU leaders such as [former chancellors] Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl, both of whom played pivotal roles in strengthening transatlantic relations,” said Evelyn Gaiser, a policy advisor on transatlantic relationships and NATO with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a German think tank that is associated with but independent of the Christian Democrats.

[snip]

Merz spoke out after JD Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in February, in which the US vice president said that the biggest threat to Europe did not come from Russia or China, but “from within.”

“This is really now the change of an era,” Merz said on stage at the MSC. “If we don’t hear the wake-up call now, it might be too late for the entire European Union.”

Add this into the context of withdrawing from the World Health Organization and eliminating all the work done by USAID, and the message is crystal clear. While yes, this meeting today in the Oval Office was about Ukraine, it was really a sign of something much much larger.

In April 2021, when Joe Biden addressed a joint session of Congress in a non-State of the Union address, he said this:

I’ve often said that our greatest strength is the power of our example – not just the example of our power. And in my conversations with world leaders – many I’ve known for a long time – the comment I hear most often is: we see that America is back – but for how long?

We now know the answer: four years and five weeks.

RIP the Transatlantic Alliance (1945-2025).

28 replies
  1. dopefish says:

    Over at The Atlantic, David Frum has a good take on this mess: At Least Now We Know the Truth

    American allies urgently need a Plan B for collective security in a world where the U.S. administration prefers Vladimir Putin to Zelensky.

    The American people need to reckon with the mess Trump and Vance are making of this country’s once-good name—and the services they are performing for dictators and aggressors. There may not be a deep cause here. Trump likes and admires bad people because he is himself a bad person. When Vance executed his personal pivot from Never Trump to Always Trump, he needed a way to prove that he had truly crossed over to the dark side beyond any possibility of reversion or redemption; perhaps his support for Russia allowed him to do that. But however shallow their motives, the consequences are profound.

    Reply
    • dopefish says:

      According to CNN, a reporter for Russia’s state-owned news agency TASS was also present for part of the meeting, even as the AP and Reuters were excluded.

      “TASS was not on the approved list of media for today’s pool,” a White House official told CNN in a statement. “As soon as it came to the attention of press office staff that he was in the Oval, he was escorted out by the Press Secretary.”

      Reply
      • LadyHawke says:

        So Trump’s handler was in the Oval Office?
        The world got to see Vance and Trump tag-team a genuine intelligent, brave and true patriot, because he didn’t say thank you for the 1001st tune?
        We should thank him for the inspiration he provides all people of good intent.

        Reply
        • LadyHawke says:

          And it must be nice to have a real president who is not afraid to stand up to Putin.
          (Ooops. Sorry my finger slip put that w at the end of my name.)

        • earlofhuntingdon says:

          Trump’s handler? When did Vladimir Putin get a work visa? Or does he already have the first Gold Card Visa, which Trump would have comped rather than try to collect the $5 million.

  2. Ginevra diBenci says:

    I just saw clips of the Vance/Trump pile-on of Zelensky today on Nicolle Wallace’s show. Shame barely begins to express the feelings evoked by our “leaders,” whose stunningly ignorant and nasty and juvenile display should have no place in the Oval Office. How pathetic that it took a pair of these cowards to tag-team Ukraine’s president, who was a guest in OUR White House.

    If I were Europe, or Germany, I would abandon us too–as fast as geopolitically possible. This makes me sick.

    Reply
    • MsJennyMD says:

      Agree. Yep, tag-team tactics with two bullies, Trump and Vance. Meeting feels like a set up for the media, his followers and Putin. Republicans are enablers.

      Vote for an Ukrainian comedian, get a president. Vote for an American reality show host, get a dictator.

      Reply
  3. Matt Foley says:

    “You’re in no position to say no” sounds like something Trump would’ve said to his rape victims. JD Vance could barely contain his arousal.

    Reply
  4. Matt___B says:

    Yes, Musk and the AfD. Don’t forget that at the Munich conference 2 weeks ago, Vance snubbed Scholz (who is now out of power) and had a friendly visit with AfD leader Alice Weidel. What could be a more blatant indication of the Trump admin’s foreign policy than that?

    JD Vance is the very personification of the stereotypical “1950s Dad”: “Say thank you Volodymyr, or you’re going to be grounded tonight! And no supper for you!” What a scold.

    He should have a scold-off contest with Jordan Peterson, who has moved to Florida, because it’s a more friendly environment now than Toronto. I don’t know who’s worse, whiny Jordan or smarmy JD.

    Reply
  5. Rugger_9 says:

    Convict-1 / Krasnov is such a ‘tough guy’ that he had attack Chihuahua (the metaphor, not the dog) Vance do most of his dirty work for him. Real men don’t need to gang up like that. I’m happy (and surprised) that Zelenskyy didn’t slug him, but any doubt has been removed that the current WH is a Russian asset, top to bottom. Europe will plan accordingly, and FWIW, Sweden and Finland are about to become very busy if Putin expands his war. As it is, Ukraine is holding off Putin and in a couple of sectors are about to encircle substantial RU forces.

    SecDef Hegseth also decided to order Cyber Command to stand down on Russia, and I see no way that makes us more safe. Marco Rubio sat there like a potted plant, proving what Convict-1 / Krasnov said about him on the campaign trail.

    Reply
    • dopefish says:

      Over at The Bulwark, Sam Stein, JVL and Will Saletan have a good take on ambush that Vance and Trump staged today:
      Breaking: Trump & Vance Pick Nauseating Fight With Zelenskyy

      JVL at about 16:48:

      … but the truth is, that’s not what international relations is about. Its about interests. And properly understood, America’s interests are in the stability of Europe, the stability of free trade and globalism, these are all the things which are good for America. And are why we are involved in NATO. Its why we’ve made such– its why we’ve spent so much money on European stability over the last hundred years: because it is good for us, its not because we are nice people. Its because, our level of prosperity is largely dependent upon it, and if you think that its expensive, to prop up the– not only Ukrainian, but European security, you should see the fuckin price tag of war. Right? That’s what’s really expensive. And the American-led order, the Pax Americana which has made us the wealthiest and most prosperous country in the world, that is over. And it’s over for what? So we can save five dollars on USAID?

      Reply
  7. P-villain says:

    Today was the most profoundly depressing day so far. I weep for the Ukrainian people. I can’t seem to awaken from this nightmare world. Gonna lick my wounds now and try to rally.

    Reply
  9. Raven Eye says:

    Even though we were not surprised (generally), I suspect that many/most of us were shocked.

    This was so coldly orchestrated, and while Trump may see this as a way of backing out of Ukraine, I don’t think he is aware that there are much larger implications.

    The best result would have been a signed agreement that allowed U.S. non-colonial access to Ukrainian resources. That would have required some security components, because U.S. companies would demand guarantees before investing.

    Second best? A very clear Scarlet Letter for Trump regarding his relationship with Putin. I expect it will galvanize Europe organically, especially the EU and NATO. It will be wildly expensive for Europe, especially in a time where Trump is trying to destroy world-wide trade while simultaneously attempting to do the same thing for the U.S. economy. NATO depends on U.S. production and stockpiles of ammunition, missiles, etc. Will Trump stand in the way of sales to Europe?

    The term “transactional” keeps bouncing around in my head. Diplomacy and politics are not just a series of transactional events that you sign and walk away from. Both are continua. There may be notable milestones, but the process never stops. Trump combines his transactional nature with political ADD and a rigid belief that there can be only one winner.

    Meanwhile, the House and Senate Republicans are suffering from various degrees of cowardice and cranial-rectal inversion.

    Reply
  10. allan_in_upstate says:

    “J.D. Vance’s holier-than-thou whining about Zelenskyy making a benign appearance in Pennsylvania saying “thank you” to the US for their support and calling it Election Interference. I don’t remember Vance taking up umbrage when the head of DOGE Elon Musk appeared and spoke at the national political rally of the neo-Nazi Alternative for Germany (AfD) party j …”

    Nor do I remember James Donald Bowman, James David Hamel or whatever alias he’s currently using taking umbrage with Bibi Netanyahu’s many attempts to interfere in American politics, including twice from the well of the House of Representatives during joint sessions of Congress.

    Reply
  11. Peterr says:

    New from Deutsche Welle, about three hours ago:

    Inna Sovsun, a member of Ukrainian parliament, told DW that Ukrainians feel the way Trump treated Zelenskyy was “unfair, unjustified and unprovoked.”

    Zelenskyy was at the White House to sign a minerals deal that would have marked a new chapter in the relationship between Ukraine and the United States, but the meeting devolved into a shouting match with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance berating Zelenskyy.

    Following the row, Sovsun said there is a lot of “room for the European Union to step in.”

    She said if European and other Western leaders only react by voicing their concerns, Ukraine would be “left to deal with the United States directly.”

    But if they were to come together and offer tangible support like “a list of weapons that we can deliver to Ukrainians right now so that they can continue fighting,” she said such a move would “improve Ukraine’s negotiation position in relation with the United States.”

    Going forward, Sovsun suggested that the main negotiator from Ukraine should be someone else instead of Zelenskyy.

    Sovsun also called for a mediator that both sides can trust for future negotiations, naming British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a potential figure.

    The title “leader of the free world” is now up for grabs, with the US president having abdicated that role.

    Reply
  13. Peterr says:

    From the Kiev Independent:

    Donald Trump is elected U.S. president after criticizing a war abroad and calling for its end. He negotiates a deal with an adversary of the United States under heavy sanctions, cutting an ally out of their own country’s peace talks. The disastrous deal is viewed as a surrender to the opposition, prioritizing ending the conflict quickly over supporting U.S. allies or long-term stability in the region.

    If that sounds familiar, that’s because it’s what happened in Afghanistan during Trump’s first term in office, and what Ukrainians and their partners fear may be happening to them now.

    When Trump began promising on the campaign trail to end the war in Ukraine, U.K. member of parliament Mike Martin saw “loads of similarities” to how Trump ended the war in Afghanistan.

    “The deal wasn’t a deal, it was a capitulation,” said Martin, who served in Afghanistan and wrote An Intimate War, a book on the conflict. “And that’s what Trump’s trying to engineer here (in Ukraine).”

    Ouch.

    Reply
  14. PeteT0323 says:

    Could this be an “opportunity” for Europe to step in and supplant the USA?

    Does Ukraine absolutely need the USA to prevail at this juncture?

    I keep having this dream – nightmare – that the USA is in a race with Europe to either leave NATO or NATO to ask the USA to leave the alliance. I don’t particularly think that is a good thing either way, but maybe the least worse of the USA staying but acting as pro Russian as it is.

    Reply
  15. Konny_2022 says:

    The Russian president on Thursday applauded the new US administration for “pragmatism, a realistic worldview” and described initial contacts with the Trump administration as “inspiring a certain degree of hope”.

    “There is a reciprocal mood to work to restore intergovernmental ties and to gradually resolve the huge number of systemic and strategic problems that have built up in the world’s security architecture,” said Putin at a meeting with the leadership of the FSB intelligence service.

    Putin also seemed to suggest that Europe and the UK were attempting to undermine negotiations between Russia and the US.

    This is from The Guardian, on the new Russian ambassador to the US who got his agrément just prior to Zelenskyy’s visit (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/28/russia-appoint-us-ambassador-diplomatic-relations-thaw). And as on cue, Trump had to demonstrate to the world that he wouldn’t sign a bilateral treaty with Zelenskyy.

    Reply
    • Matt___B says:

      Lifting this paragraph from Tim Snyder’s substack in order to answer your question:

      If you are thinking today about how to help Ukrainians, here are some possibilities: Come Back Alive (Ukrainian NGO that supports soldiers on the battlefield and veterans), United 24 (the Ukrainian state platform for donations, with many excellent projects), RAZOM (an American NGO, tax-deductible for US citizens, which cooperates with Ukrainian NGOS to support civilians), and Documenting Ukraine (a project that helps to give Ukrainians a voice, also tax-deductible for Americans).

      Reply
  17. Booksellerb4 says:

    Please clap now.
    If you’ve ever heard of the TInkerbell Effect
    – Stewart states that this concept is much like the character Tinkerbell in that she cannot exist unless people believe in her. He says the rule of law does not currently exist in its entirety. He describes the attempts to implement the liberal philosophies embodied by this principle as the basis of common law constitution. This states that “the rule of law, and not parliamentary sovereignty, is the supreme authority of law, placing real limits on the exercise of legislative and executive power.”[5]
    The issue is that it is not easy to formulate and has turned into a product of legal imagination. The author proposes that a connection between the rule of law and democracy is needed to ensure its existence. The Tinkerbell effect is used to try to effectively convince his readers to support his argument. He emphasizes the importance of adhering to or “clapping” for the rule of law because it is so dependent on our belief. – Wiki

    I’m not trivializing or mocking my own internal conflicts here. I am just deeply wounded by the feckless fuckery as occurred in the literal seat of our democracy today, by a pair of Peter Pans lacking so, so, much, but especially lacking their own shadows.

    Sorry if this is way OT.

    Reply

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