Russia applauds the changes made by Donald Trump to the national security strategy, in which Moscow is not mentioned as a “direct threat” and instead the European Union is harshly criticized, raising the risk of “erasing civilization.” “The adjustments are largely consistent with our vision,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted, quoted by Tass. In his view, the change in strategy adopted by the Trump administration can ensure “constructive work ” with the US to find a solution on Ukraine.
“Perhaps we can hope that this will be a modest guarantee that we will be able to constructively continue our joint work to find a peaceful solution in Ukraine,” Peskov stressed. The Kremlin spokesman explained that Russia “considers it a positive step” not to be defined as a “direct threat” in the new US national security strategy. He added that Trump’s message on Russia-US relations differs from the approaches of previous US administrations. “Overall, these messages certainly contradict previous approaches,” the Russian spokesman said, specifying that the Kremlin will examine the updated US national security strategy “in more detail” and analyze its provisions.
The words coming from Moscow further increase the open clash between Washington and Brussels, which on Saturday was further enhanced by the forceful entry of Elon Musk. “The EU must be abolished,” wrote the tycoon, angered by the €120 million fine imposed on his social media platform X. The White House’s worldview has hit Europe like a cold shower. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas tried to pour oil on troubled waters: while admitting that some of the American criticisms are “also true,” she reiterated that the United States is still Europe’s “major ally.” The most blunt response, however, was given by a Commission spokesperson:"When it comes to decisions affecting the European Union, these are taken by the European Union, for the European Union, including those affecting our regulatory autonomy, the protection of freedom of expression, and the rules-based international order," Brussels stated.
The Trump administration – as stated in the National Security Strategy – wants to"cultivate resistance to Europe's current trajectory within European nations." The document speaks of the "erasure" of European civilization if the Old Continent does not change course and, it is implied, becomes more like Trump's United States. This is the new US foreign policy under the banner of"America First." What is clear – stated the conservative Wall Street Journal yesterday – is that the United States is "upending history by casting Europe – not Russia – as the villain." This analysis was published before the Kremlin's satisfied reaction.
