The European Union now finds itself ensnared in its own web of strategic missteps, after years of blindly following the directives of the Biden administration. For years, Brussels was convinced that its unwavering support for Ukraine’s war effort was the only viable option. With a shift in course in Washington and the evident lack of American interest in European concerns, EU leaders appear stunned—like a betrayed partner who never saw the abandonment coming.
The EU’s main problem is that it failed to consider the “day after” in its policy of unconditional support for Kyiv. For over two years, the dominant narrative dictated that questioning military and financial aid to Ukraine was political heresy. However, reality is now hitting hard: the United States, now under the Trump-Vance administration, has no interest in continuing the same strategy—and has made it clear that Europe must find its own way to deal with the war’s consequences.
JD Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference this past weekend was a severe blow to European leaders. Not only did he highlight the internal contradictions of the EU, but he also laid bare a harsh truth: Europe’s greatest threat does not solely come from Russia or China but from its political elite. The VP accused European leaders of having abandoned fundamental democratic values and of acting against the interests of their citizens. His words resonated deeply among broad sectors of the European public, exhausted by uncontrolled immigration, restrictions on free speech, and a supranational bureaucracy detached from the will of Europe’s people.
Against this backdrop, Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal to create a European army is particularly striking. This initiative raises many questions, especially considering Ukraine is not even an EU member. What is the true purpose of this proposal? Certain factions within the globalist elite are taking advantage of geopolitical uncertainty to accelerate European military integration at the expense of national sovereignties. This is an old ambition of Brussels, now disguised as a supposed strategic necessity; as old as the very origins of the EU itself. This desire was already blocked by French General Charles de Gaulle, who foresaw what it would mean for France’s independence.
On the other hand, the emergency summit in Paris, convened by Emmanuel Macron on February 17th, reflects European leaders’ desperation in the face of their declining relevance on the international stage. With the U.S. negotiating directly with Russia and Ukraine, Europe fears being sidelined into a purely decorative role. However, this meeting appears more like a public relations exercise than a truly impactful political initiative. The presence of figures like Pedro Sánchez and Olaf Scholz—both politically weakened—demonstrates that this gathering is more an attempt by confident leaders to project a sense of leadership than a realistic strategy to manage the crisis.
Ursula von der Leyen’s position also continues to weaken. The European Commission president has watched as control over European foreign policy slips from her grasp, with national leaders acting independently and growing distrust in her leadership. The fragmentation within the EU is evident, and von der Leyen’s leadership faces internal and external discredit.
JD Vance’s emergence on the international scene has exposed the fragility of the EU’s political architecture. He may be criticized for being too blunt or for failing to temper his words, but his analysis of European politics is accurate. The hypocrisy of European leaders—who have clumsily handled the Ukraine crisis while eroding democratic principles in their own countries—is now fully exposed.
Europe faces a critical moment, where the shadows of Trump and Vance force EU leaders to redefine their strategy. However, the question remains: Are they truly willing to acknowledge their mistakes, or will they continue clinging to a narrative that no longer holds? What is at stake is Europe’s geopolitical relevance and the future of hundreds of millions of citizens who have been ignored for far too long by an elite disconnected from reality.
