FROM THE OUTSIDE | Europe facing the United States

Por

José Carreño Figueras

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Publicado: 27/2/2025 · 11:42 a.m. MX | Actualizado: 27/2/2025 · 11:42 a.m. MX

When U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance recently appeared at an international security conference in Munich, he criticized Europeans for restricting the freedom of far-right groups like Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Moreover, the U.S. government insists that European countries must take responsibility for their own security, which, in plain terms, implies the possibility of increasing their own nuclear arsenal.

After all, some might ask, what could possibly go wrong if the German far-right—or any other—were encouraged to acquire nuclear weapons?

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Details. Mere details.

It is true that the United States seems to be on the path of breaking traditional alliances, such as its coalition with Europe, and, at least initially, seeking new affinities—particularly, for now, with Russia, a long-standing geopolitical rival.

In fact, reports have surfaced regarding alleged U.S. and Russian interests in dividing the valuable rare earth minerals found in Ukrainian territory, specifically in the regions currently occupied by Russia.

However, Europeans are deeply concerned about Russia’s military strength, which, in its eternal pursuit of geopolitical security, uses force to intimidate or “convince” countries that it is better to align with Moscow. Their concerns are further compounded by the fact that, despite having nuclear powers like Britain and France on their side, Europe would need at least a decade to develop the necessary capabilities to defend itself independently.

For them, the alternative is facing an invasion similar to Ukraine’s—an attack that Vladimir Putin’s government justified by claiming the presence of “neo-Nazis” in the country, though it was more likely due to Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.

Of course, Russia is far from being the only country that applies “ad hoc” double standards: one of its main allies in Europe is none other than Germany’s AfD—a neo-Nazi group. A mere coincidence with the United States?

It is also true that Europeans fear that, within the framework of their rapprochement, Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin may have already redrawn the world map. After all, both enjoy portraying themselves as “alpha males.”

For now, a U.S. military withdrawal from Europe has neither occurred nor been explicitly mentioned, but Trump has already demanded that NATO member nations increase their military spending to at least two percent of their Gross National Product (GNP)—or else they would not be defended against Russian aggression.

“I never thought I would have to say something like this,” said Germany’s incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz yesterday, “but it is clear that the [Trump] administration does not care much about Europe’s fate.” For the new German government, “the absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can truly achieve independence from the U.S.”

José Carreño Figueras