Europe fears US betrayal as Trump pushes pro-Russia peace plan

WISE NEWS PRESS / BERLIN, GERMANY — Nov. 25, 2025

The transatlantic alliance is facing a profound crisis of confidence after US President Donald Trump proposed a "Ukraine peace plan" that European leaders argue bypasses the bloc and capitulates to Russia's maximalist demands.

The proposal has triggered alarm across European capitals, prompting urgent calls for the European Union to transform into a self-sufficient security power as faith in Washington’s long-standing security guarantees evaporates.

A 'historic' shift in defense strategy

Manfred Weber, leader of the European People's Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, issued one of the starkest warnings regarding the rift. Describing the situation as a "historic moment," Weber signaled that Europe can no longer rely on the United States for its safety.

"We must now transform the EU into a European NATO," Weber stated, reflecting a growing consensus that the continent must urgently develop its own defense architecture.

While European diplomats managed to negotiate minor adjustments to the plan—which critics describe as heavily pro-Russian—the core concerns remain. A joint statement signed by the foreign and defense committee chairs of 19 European parliaments declared that peace cannot be achieved by "submitting to or rewarding Russia," adding that "the age of empires is over."

Berlin warns of 'betrayal' and new era

In Germany, the reaction has been particularly sharp, with senior figures in Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government and the opposition voicing dismay. Norbert Röttgen, a senior foreign policy expert from Chancellor Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), accused the US of abandoning Europe in an existential crisis.

"The Trump administration has adopted a 28-point plan containing Russian theses... to fill its own coffers," Röttgen told Die Zeit. "This means the US is taking the side of Putin and selling out both Ukraine's sovereignty and Europe's security."

Röttgen described this as a "second turning point" for Europe, following the initial shock of the Russian invasion, forcing the continent to reduce its security dependence on the US immediately.

Sigmar Gabriel, former Foreign Minister and chairman of the Atlantic Bridge, echoed these sentiments, telling Tagesspiegel that the plan is "equivalent to betraying everything that has constituted our transatlantic relationship until now."

Fears of US withdrawal from NATO command

The rift is further widened by reports that the Pentagon is considering withdrawing from the role of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), a position held by American generals since 1951.

US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker reportedly suggested at a recent Berlin Security Conference that Germany should assume the SACEUR command. This proposal was received with shock in Europe, where the presence of a US commander is seen as the physical symbol of America's nuclear guarantee. Military experts warn this could be the first step toward a broader US disengagement from NATO.

According to a survey by the Körber Foundation released today, 73% of Germans now believe Germany-US relations are in poor shape. Furthermore, 62% of respondents stated they no longer trust the US nuclear umbrella, with 75% favoring a shift toward French and British nuclear protection instead.

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