NATO: AN OBSOLETE ALLIANCE AS TRUMP ABANDONS UKRAINE?

The announcement was predictable, yet it remains a geopolitical earthquake: Donald Trump, now back in the White House, has decided to cut all military and financial aid to Ukraine. This withdrawal marks a historic shift, not only for the Ukrainian conflict but also for NATO, whose relevance and credibility are now seriously in question.

As Russia advances on the frontlines, Ukraine finds itself isolated, and Europe scrambles to fill the vacuum left by the United States. The pressing question emerges: does NATO still have a role to play, or has it become an empty shell incapable of ensuring the security of its members and allies?

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Trump’s Withdrawal: A Gift to Putin

Throughout his campaign, Trump made no secret of his disdain for Ukraine and his barely concealed admiration for Vladimir Putin. Once in office, he has followed through on his threats by halting all funding and military support.

Immediate Consequences:

• Ukraine loses its primary logistical and military support, making any major counteroffensive impossible.
• Russian forces intensify their pressure on Kyiv, emboldened by Western abandonment.
• Europe is left alone to confront the threat, with no real alternative to compensate for the military and economic power of the United States.

This decision not only weakens Ukraine but also reshapes the balance of power in Europe and highlights the impotence of institutions supposedly tasked with ensuring the continent’s stability.

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NATO: An Alliance That No Longer Protects Anyone?

NATO, founded in 1949 to provide collective defence against the Soviet Union, now stands at a breaking point. Article 5 of the treaty, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all, rests on a central pillar: the military commitment of the United States.

However, Trump has repeatedly dismissed NATO as a “relic of the past” and has even suggested that the US would not defend European countries unless they “pay their share”.

Major Problems:

• Europe is massively dependent on the US military for air defence, logistics, and intelligence.
• Certain NATO member states, such as the Baltic countries and Poland, are directly threatened by an emboldened and aggressive Russia.
• Without clear leadership, NATO becomes a divided alliance, incapable of making rapid decisions in a crisis.

If the US no longer plays its role as a military leader, NATO loses all purpose. The organisation risks becoming a costly bureaucratic entity, unable to deter its adversaries and powerless in the face of escalating conflicts.

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Europe Faces Its Strategic Failure

For decades, Europe outsourced its security to the United States. Germany, France, and other European nations never invested significantly in defence, relying instead on the American umbrella. Now, this dependence is being exposed.

Without American aid, Europe is militarily vulnerable and struggles to build a credible alternative:

• European arsenals are insufficient to sustain Ukraine in the long term.
• Decision-making is slow and bureaucratic, making effective responses to threats nearly impossible.
• Divergences between European nations hinder military coordination.

As Ukraine fights for survival and Putin watches Western fragmentation with satisfaction, Europe must now decide:

• Develop an independent military force, capable of acting without US dependency.
• Remain passive and watch NATO become irrelevant, leaving Europe permanently exposed.

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A World Where the West Has No Backbone?

The US withdrawal from Ukraine and the weakening of NATO are not just European concerns. This is a global signal: Western commitments no longer hold value.

• Taiwan faces a growing Chinese threat, without a guaranteed US military response.
• The Middle East sees American weakness, paving the way for renewed aggression from Iran and its allies.
• Historical alliances are being questioned, pushing some nations to pivot towards China or Russia.

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Conclusion: A New Chapter in History

The American retreat from Ukraine and NATO’s declining role are not just strategic errors. They mark a historic rupture, reshaping the multipolar world we are entering.

• The US is no longer the world’s policeman.
• NATO risks becoming an empty shell.
• Europe must choose between action and decline.

The end of Western hegemony is unfolding. Those who fail to prepare will face the consequences.

G.S.