European leaders rush to demonstrate leadership in the “free world” following the fallout between Trump and Zelenskyy.

Tensions between Washington and Europe have escalated following a diplomatic confrontation between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Vice President JD Vance. European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Friedrich Merz, have expressed support for Zelenskyy against Trump’s criticisms. There are concerns that allowing Russia to succeed in Ukraine could embolden them to expand their hybrid war tactics elsewhere. There has been a growing sentiment that Europe needs to break free from the postwar dependence on the U.S., with calls for more military independence in the face of recent transatlantic divides. Germany’s likely next leader, Merz, has expressed the need to strengthen Europe quickly to achieve independence from the U.S., signaling a shift in the traditional alliances. The challenges of achieving this independence are significant, with questions about spending, American involvement, and the scale of military reorganization required. This move towards European independence signals a new era of transatlantic relations, marked by a shift away from shared community of values, and towards a more competitive great power dynamic. Leaders like Merz, Macron, and other key figures are pushing for a more autonomous European defense strategy to address the changing global landscape.

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