The winds of uncertainty are sweeping through Europe as the continent grapples with the stark reality of a diminished US commitment to its security.

The handling of the Ukraine crisis by the Trump administration has rightly sent shockwaves through European capitals, unearthing a reality that policymakers have long feared but often failed to address head-on: the United States, under its current leadership, is no longer a reliable guarantor of European stability.

This development has prompted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to propose a comprehensive five-point strategy aimed at bolstering the continent's defence capabilities -- a kind of first step towards strategic autonomy. Yet, beyond military considerations, the fundamental challenge before Europe is how to redefine its role in an increasingly transactional world order.

The Trump administration’s justification for halting military aid to Ukraine -- framed under the guise of prioritising peace -- has been met with widespread scepticism. Many European leaders fear that this move will only embolden Russia and pressure Ukraine into an untenable settlement. French President Macron has been particularly vocal in their criticism, asserting that withholding arms from Kyiv plays directly into Moscow’s hands.

Meanwhile, Poland has also expressed frustration over Washington’s lack of consultation with European allies, highlighting a growing transatlantic rift. Similarly, British PM Kier Starmer has also repeatedly exhibited commitment to Ukraine. While Viktor Orban of Hungary is siding with Trump’s strategy on the Ukraine peace process, exposing the divergent responses among European allies.

Von der Leyen’s response is emblematic of a broader........

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