A historian is worried that post World War II measures are under attack after the leader’s exchange in the White House.
European Nato members demonstrated strength and unity in London after the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky furiously left the White House.
The leader displayed strength towards the 47th president which was met with retaliation by both Vance and Trump.
American historian Alex Rakochy says that tensions “haven’t been like that since the early 1930’s”. The World War II expert detailed that the layered and long-standing agreements after the end of the war “were hit with a wrecking ball.
“The North Atlantic treaty (Nato) was mainly established to unify the West and to answer communist tensions at the time.”
“Nato was historically unified, always having a common enemy, which made this recent show of power by the US an unprecedented historical event.”
The Ukraine war has put Europe between a hungry bear and an eagle sharpening its talons. The European leaders threw their whole weight behind Zelensky, expressing unity to rearm Europe.
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the EU commission, said that “we are in an era of rearmament” whilst simultaneously stripping back legislation to streamline the flow of money
towards the military.
The way has been paved by stripping back policy which caps defence spending between more and less advantaged EU nations. Von der Leyen is planning to raise close to 800 billion euros for the sake of Europe’s defence.
Rakochy said that historically Europe was always trailing the US, its main ally, in terms of military spending. Indeed, Nato members agreed that they would spend at least 2% of their GDP on their
individual military.
In 2014, only three members reached the 2% goal. In 2024 23 out of 31 members reached the 2% goal with Poland leading the way the graphs with 4% of their GDP being spent on their military
according to Statista.
Now, Nato boss, Mark Rutte suggested that 3% and above is required. Rakochy said that “we are beyond suggestions about the allocation of EU money”.
Historically, rearmament does not always result in a war. Rakochy mentioned various moments in history; where nations were fiercely spending money on their military. The Cold War and the arms race which unfolded between the US and the USSR saw great tensions and close calls without all out warfare.
However, ties between the US and Europe were historically solid. Rakochy said that Nato was established to bind together Western ideology and encourage free trade between these nations.
Rackochy also notes that Zelensky alone did not ruin, single handedly European ties with the White House.
Trump’s swooping tariffs dented the established Western trade and his affiliation to Putin forced Europe into a corner, according to Rakochy. These “uncharted waters” require very careful and
calculated diplomacy to quell tensions.
There are now fears that the US wants to pull out of Nato, which Rakochy sees as a prideful move which goes against “the nature of the agreement of the West”.
Dimitris Zamipoulos works for Nato in Luxembourg and told TheCity.ie about “a lot of stress at work recently”. He explained that the US pull out would not come into effect soon. In-fact, the
administrative hoops are vast which result in a long process before the US can officially be considered out.
Nato was built on a shared agreement which relies on cooperation and transparency said Zamipoulos.
Trump’s relentless exercise of hard power clashes with systems that have been carefully built on a shared set of values.
Ukraine’s reliance on US funding puts Trump in a position of power which he chose to wield without scruple. Zamipoulos said that Trump is playing both sides and questioned his ability to truly back his allies.
Global news outlets are questioning Ukraine’s ability to repair their ties with the US as a European lead defence would leave them more vulnerable according to the New-York Times.