European leaders denounce US security strategy as political interference

16:28

By: Dakir Madiha

European leaders denounce US security strategy as political interference

The release of the new U.S. National Security Strategy has sparked condemnation across Europe, with senior leaders warning that Washington is overstepping its diplomatic bounds and undermining allied sovereignty. The document, presented by the Trump administration, portrays Europe as a continent at risk of “civilizational decline” and calls for supporting “patriotic European parties” to counter current political trends within the European Union.

European response and sovereignty concerns

European Council President António Costa delivered one of the strongest reactions, insisting that “allies do not interfere in each other’s political life.” Speaking at the Jacques Delors Institute in Paris, Costa emphasized that decisions about Europe’s future belong solely to its citizens. He argued that the U.S. strategy not only challenges Europe’s independence but also seeks to reshape its democratic balance by favoring particular political movements.

The European leader urged a renewed focus on unity and self-determination, noting that despite Europe’s deep partnerships with the United States, its governments “must maintain strategic autonomy.” Costa warned that external attempts to manipulate internal politics, whether from Washington or elsewhere, threaten to erode the continent’s stability and credibility.

Diverging views from Moscow and Washington

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed the U.S. document, praising its alignment with Russia’s geopolitical outlook and its criticism of NATO’s influence. European officials reacted sharply, viewing Moscow’s approval as confirmation of the document’s destabilizing intentions. Costa stated that the strategy’s emphasis on ending conflicts rather than building a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine reveals its limited ambition for European security.

In Berlin, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul dismissed the strategy as “ideological rather than strategic,” underscoring that Europe remains committed to free political expression and a balanced transatlantic relationship. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas echoed that message at the Doha Forum, acknowledging U.S.–EU differences but reaffirming that “the United States remains Europe’s closest ally.”

Tensions over digital and political sovereignty

The U.S. strategy also attacks European regulations targeting major American technology firms and accuses EU institutions of “subverting democratic processes.” Costa responded that Europe’s defense of digital sovereignty is essential to preserving citizens’ rights, warning against sacrificing freedom of information to “protect the tech oligarchs of the United States.”

European policymakers across parties have described the document as a turning point, revealing growing divergence within the transatlantic alliance. Analysts suggest that while the strategy may resonate with some right-wing movements in Europe, it risks deepening mistrust between Washington and its traditional allies.