In the shadow of a resurgent Russia and a shifting global order, transatlantic relations are under unprecedented strain. As of December 2025, the United States under President Donald Trump’s second term is signaling a retreat from traditional alliances, leaving Europe to grapple with its security future. But are the US and Europe truly growing apart? And if so, is the ongoing war in Ukraine the primary culprit? Adding intrigue, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has emerged as a voice urging Europe to “listen” to America’s wake-up call—pushing for greater self-reliance while preserving the partnership.
Are the US and Europe Growing Apart?
The transatlantic divide, once a pillar of post-World War II stability, feels increasingly fragile. Trump’s National Security Strategy (NSS), released earlier this year, marks a sharp pivot: it criticizes the European Union as a “malfunctioning” entity and calls for bilateral deals with select nations over multilateral commitments. This “Make Europe Great Again” approach aims to weaken EU cohesion by courting far-right governments in countries like Hungary, Poland, Italy, and Austria—potentially pulling them closer to Washington at Brussels’ expense.
Key flashpoints include:
- Security and NATO Tensions: Trump has reiterated demands for Europe to shoulder more defense spending, threatening to withhold US support unless allies hit 2% of GDP by 2027. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned in December 2025 that Russia views Europe as its “next target,” yet US actions—like pressuring Ukraine toward concessions—undermine alliance unity. Europe’s response? A push for “strategic autonomy,” with France and Nordic-Baltic states leading rearmament efforts.
- Trade and Economic Rifts: US tariffs on EU goods, revived from Trump’s first term, clash with Europe’s green energy transition. The NSS frames the EU as a trade barrier, exacerbating divides over migration and “political correctness.”
- Ideological Clashes: Trump’s endorsement of Europe’s far-right—echoed in his Politico interview—fuels polarization. Centrist leaders like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer face a US administration openly hostile to EU integration. Even Pope Leo XIV cautioned against efforts to “break apart” the US-Europe alliance, citing Trump’s rhetoric on “decaying” allies.
These strains suggest a deliberate US strategy to divide and conquer, forcing Europe to confront its dependencies. As one expert notes, the “Pax Americana” era is over, with nostalgia no longer viable.
Is It Because of Ukraine?
The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, acts as a litmus test for US-Europe relations 2025, amplifying existing fissures rather than creating them anew. While the conflict initially unified the West—rallying NATO aid and sanctions against Russia—Trump’s return has exposed deep splits over resolution strategies.
- US Push for Quick Capitulation: Washington, frustrated by prolonged involvement, is advancing a peace plan that demands Ukrainian withdrawals from Donbas and economic concessions to Moscow, with no firm guarantees against Russian re-invasion. Trump has publicly scolded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, insisting Kyiv “play ball” since Russia holds the “upper hand.” This aligns with the NSS’s goal of de-escalating with Russia, potentially at Ukraine’s expense.
- Europe’s Steadfast Commitment: In contrast, European leaders view Ukraine’s victory as existential. Berlin hosted US-Ukraine ceasefire talks in December 2025 ahead of a European summit, signaling resistance to unilateral US terms. Experts like Nathalie Tocci from Johns Hopkins highlight how the war reveals “growing divisions,” with Europe prioritizing long-term security guarantees and EU accession for Kyiv. The EU’s 2025 enlargement report praises Ukraine’s reforms, underscoring a commitment to integration that clashes with US realpolitik.
Ukraine isn’t the sole cause—pre-existing issues like energy dependencies and migration persist—but it accelerates the drift. Trump’s strategy weakens Europe’s leverage, forcing a reevaluation of NATO’s “open door” policy and prompting calls for a “European NATO” equivalent. As German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz stated, Europe must brace for a “fundamental shift” in US ties amid Russian threats.
In essence, Ukraine magnifies the transatlantic divide: America seeks an exit ramp, while Europe fights for a fortified future.
Why is Italy Advising Europe to Listen to America?
Enter Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s pragmatic far-right leader, whose December 14, 2025, speech at the Atreju rally in Rome positioned her as a bridge-builder amid the turmoil. Speaking at the annual event hosted by her Brothers of Italy party—complete with international guests like former Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas—Meloni defended her coalition’s stability while issuing a clarion call for European defense autonomy.
Meloni’s message? Heed Trump’s disengagement signals as a “wake-up call” to end decades of “outsourced” security. “Trump has said most emphatically that the US intends to disengage and Europeans must organise to defend themselves: hello Europe,” she declared. For 80 years, she argued, Europe pretended US protection was free—but the “price” was “conditioning.” Freedom demands investment in a robust defense, including a “European NATO” of “equal strength and respect” to America’s, fostering dialogue “between equals, not in conditions of subalternity.”
Why Italy, and why now? Meloni’s stance reflects strategic calculus:
- Ideological Affinity with Trump: As a conservative ally, she cultivates ties with Washington, downplaying NSS criticisms of the EU while praising US “commitment” to Ukraine peace. Yet, she rejects subservience, aligning with Trump’s push for European burden-sharing.
- Domestic and EU Balancing Act: Facing 2027 elections, Meloni bolsters her government’s record—highlighted by allies like Deputy PMs Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini on infrastructure and coalition unity. Abroad, she champions EU defense reforms, echoing Defense Minister Guido Crosetto’s call for “continental” capabilities without severing Atlantic links.
- Opportunity in Crisis: Meloni frames US pullback as an “inevitable process and opportunity” for Europe’s political freedom, urging investment in security guarantees, reconstruction, and Ukraine’s EU path. This positions Italy as a mediator, countering leaked US plans to “prise” it from the EU.
By advising Europe to “listen” to America—interpreting Trump’s strategy as tough love—Meloni advocates pragmatic adaptation: strengthen internally to negotiate externally.
Bridging the Transatlantic Gap
The US and Europe are indeed growing apart, with Ukraine as a stark accelerator, but the rift isn’t irreversible. Meloni’s vision of equal-footed partnership offers a blueprint: Europe must ramp up defense spending (already exempt from deficit rules) and innovate collaboratively, from Nordic deterrence to French autonomy. Yet, without unified resolve, Trump’s divide-and-rule tactics could prevail, emboldening Russia and eroding shared values
