Trump-Zelenskyy feud
Is NATO on verge of collapse?
An unprecedented verbal clash between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House has brought to light deep rifts within the Western alliance and NATO, further strengthening the possibility of the coalition’s collapse. In recent days, an unprecedented public altercation between the President of the United States Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, took place in the Oval Office of the White House, capturing global media attention. This confrontation, which unfolded in front of cameras, not only challenged Trump’s policies but also highlighted deep divisions within the Western alliance and even the risk of NATO’s collapse.
Five key takeaways
1. The illusion of superiority: Trump considers himself smarter than other leaders, even former US presidents. He has openly criticized not only Democrat presidents but also former Republican ones like George W. Bush.
2. The law of the jungle: For Trump, the primary criteria in foreign policy are “power” and “playing cards”. He reminded Zelenskyy that without US military aid, Ukraine would stand no chance against Russia.
3. Looking down on others: Trump expected Zelenskyy to welcome him with humility and gratitude. Instead, Zelenskyy responded directly and firmly, which angered Trump.
4. A desire for showmanship: Unlike previous presidents, Trump raises sensitive issues in front of the media. He seeks to create a media wave to shape public opinion in his favor.
5. Money-centric approach: For Trump, international relations are evaluated solely based on financial gains and losses. He views the weapons sent to Ukraine not as tools of political power but as a $350 billion investment.
Rifts in NATO, Europe
Trump, who sought to humiliate Zelenskyy and blame him for US military aid, never imagined that Zelenskyy would stand up to him and leave the White House without signing any agreement.
The reaction of European leaders to this dispute was also noteworthy. Senior officials of the European Union supported Zelenskyy. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, wrote on X, “Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine.” Moreover, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, tagged Zelenskyy directly in another X post, saying: “You are never alone.”
However, there are also divisions within Europe. While leaders from Hungary and Italy supported Trump, Sweden’s right-wing government stood by Zelenskyy. Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister, called for an urgent meeting between the US and European allies to discuss major challenges, particularly the Ukraine crisis.
Lessons for America’s admirers
In the meantime, two important lessons have been drawn for admirers of the West and America to learn:
1. Not giving in to pressure: Standing up to leaders like Trump, who behave arrogantly and rudely, can yield better results.
2. The high cost of US aid: Countries dependent on Washington’s financial and military aid often face humiliation and a loss of dignity.
NATO on verge of collapse?
This dispute not only revealed NATO’s internal challenges but also highlighted horizontal and vertical rifts within the Western alliance. If Trump halts military aid to Ukraine and eases sanctions against Russia, the European Union will face its biggest crisis since World War II.
With his “money-centric” approach, Trump overlooks democratic values and human rights. He views the world as a business transaction based on financial gains and losses. This perspective may prevent NATO and the Western alliance from addressing future challenges, ultimately bringing them closer to collapse.
The article first appeared in Persian on SNN.