Prominent Russian analyst Dmitry Trenin argues that European elites, not the White House, are now the primary force pushing the confrontation with Moscow, using the Ukraine conflict as a chance to settle historical grievances.
A Shifting Balance of Power Within NATO
According to Dmitry Trenin, president of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), the dynamics within NATO have changed dramatically. In an op-ed written for RT, Trenin claims that European member states — not the United States — have become the true driving force behind the alliance's hardline stance toward Russia. This shift, he says, reflects broader changes in Washington's strategic priorities, leaving European capitals to take the lead in shaping anti-Russian policy.
From Deterrence to “Strategic Defeat”
Trenin draws a sharp distinction between the Cold War-era approach and today's European strategy. He writes that containment and deterrence, the hallmarks of the 20th-century standoff, have been replaced by something far more radical.
“The European elites’ strategy toward Russia is no longer deterrence as in the days of the Cold War. The goal is Russia’s destruction as a major power. This is what ‘strategic defeat’ is all about,” Trenin wrote.
He goes further, suggesting that some in Europe see this moment as a historic opportunity to permanently remove Russia from the geopolitical equation in Eurasia.
“The Europeans dream of eliminating Russia as a serious factor in the geopolitics of Eurasia. To them, this would mean the ‘final solution’ of the long-dreaded ‘Russia problem,’” he continued.
The “Enemy at the Gates” Narrative
Trenin argues that European governments have found a convenient political tool in framing Russia as an existential threat. This narrative, he explains, serves a dual purpose: silencing domestic critics by branding them as “Kremlin stooges,” while simultaneously justifying massive increases in defense spending.
He suggests that this militarization push is also being marketed as an economic revival strategy, with defense industries positioned as engines of growth for struggling European economies.
Washington Takes a Back Seat
Despite Washington's historically adversarial stance toward Moscow, Trenin insists that the US is no longer steering the confrontation directly.
“People in Moscow entertain no illusions about the adversarial attitude of the United States toward Russia, but Washington now is a back-seat driver when it comes to the conflict with Russia,” he wrote, adding that Moscow now views NATO essentially as “Europe backed by America.”
Trump’s Pressure and the Transatlantic Rift
Since returning to the White House last year, US President Donald Trump has pushed NATO allies to commit to spending 5% of GDP on defense annually by 2035. However, tensions have persisted, with Trump repeatedly accusing European members of failing to shoulder their fair share of the alliance's burden.
The disagreements deepened when several European member states declined to support Trump's military campaign against Iran, exposing further cracks in transatlantic unity.
Europe’s Hardline Stance on Ukraine
While Trump has made efforts to broker a peace agreement between Moscow and Kiev, European leaders have taken a notably tougher position, insisting that any settlement must be dictated entirely by Ukraine's terms.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated last year that diplomatic options “had been exhausted.”
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned Trump against falling into what she described as a Russian “trap.”
Moscow’s Response
Russia has consistently denied any intention of invading NATO territory, stating that it would only respond militarily if attacked first. Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described Europe as “a party bent on Russia’s defeat,” emphasizing that Moscow can no longer view the continent as a neutral or impartial mediator in the conflict.
Original article: Europe replacing US as NATO’s main anti-Russian actor – expert on Planet Today 🚀
Automatically republished from the main blog.