Trump Weakened the West, Warns Former NATO Chief Rasmussen
As tensions continue to rise between Russia and the West, former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has delivered a sharp critique of former U.S. President Donald Trump's impact on international security. In remarks ahead of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, Rasmussen declared that Trump’s presidency “significantly” weakened the Western alliance and hampered Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression.
Speaking to Politico, Rasmussen didn’t mince words. "He has played his cards very badly," he said, referring to Trump’s approach to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The former NATO leader pointed out that Trump's lenient stance on Russia, including his willingness to concede Ukrainian territory and ease sanctions without demanding significant concessions from Moscow, emboldened Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite these favorable gestures, Putin has remained intransigent, refusing even to engage in ceasefire negotiations.
Ukraine continues to face a grinding war, with little hope of an immediate diplomatic resolution. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated a willingness to meet Putin in Istanbul to discuss terms, but the Russian leader has reportedly insisted on maintaining hostilities before any such talks, further dimming prospects for peace. Rasmussen believes Putin is exploiting the situation, playing a geopolitical "chess game" where the goal is to manipulate global narratives and test the limits of Western resolve—particularly that of Donald Trump.
One of Rasmussen's core criticisms lies in Trump’s approach to NATO. The former president frequently suggested that the United States might not fulfill its NATO Article 5 obligations—promising collective defense—if member states failed to meet their defense spending commitments. These remarks, Rasmussen says, shook confidence in the alliance, especially among smaller and more vulnerable European nations. The damage, he warns, may be long-lasting.
The perception of a weakened NATO has given rise to strategic anxiety across Europe. Rasmussen aligns with recent intelligence assessments suggesting that Russia could pose a direct threat to the European Union within the next few years. As a preventive measure, he is advocating for a significant increase in defense budgets across NATO member states. His think tank, the Alliance for Democracies, has proposed raising the defense spending target from the current 2% of GDP to a more ambitious level, aiming to mobilize around €400 billion to strengthen military capabilities across the alliance.
Rasmussen's analysis goes beyond merely criticizing Trump. He offers a path forward—a new strategic framework for democratic nations. He proposes the formation of a new alliance, dubbed the "D7," comprising the EU, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. According to Rasmussen, this bloc of democracies would function as a “formidable force to resist coercion” not just from autocratic regimes like Russia and China, but also from within the ranks of traditional allies, such as the United States under unpredictable leadership.
The idea behind the D7 is to recalibrate the balance of power and cooperation among democratic nations, creating a resilient front in a world increasingly shaped by great-power rivalry and regional instability. By fostering deeper military and diplomatic coordination among like-minded states, the D7 could serve as both a counterbalance and complement to existing structures like NATO and the G7.
Rasmussen’s concerns reflect a broader trend in global politics: the erosion of trust in long-standing alliances and the growing realization that democratic values must be actively defended, both from external threats and internal complacency. With the Russian threat looming large and China expanding its global influence, the stakes for democratic unity have never been higher.
Critics of Trump have long argued that his "America First" policy weakened multilateral institutions and undermined collective action on global challenges. Rasmussen’s comments add weight to these criticisms, especially as Europe grapples with its security landscape in a post-Trump, but not post-Trumpism, era. Even as Trump remains out of office, his legacy continues to influence American foreign policy and how allies perceive U.S. commitments.
In conclusion, Rasmussen's message is clear: democracies cannot afford to take alliances for granted, especially when authoritarian powers are willing to test their resolve. The West must restore its credibility, reinforce its security structures, and adapt to new geopolitical realities. Whether through reinvigorated NATO cooperation or bold new initiatives like the D7, unity and preparedness must replace the uncertainty and fragmentation that marked recent years. As Rasmussen puts it, failing to act now could mean paying a far higher price later.