Anders Fog Rasmussen, the former NATO chief, has voiced serious concerns about President Donald Trump’s impact on Western alliances and Ukraine’s defense against Russia. He claims that Trump’s presidency has “significantly” undermined these alliances. Rasmussen shared his thoughts ahead of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, stating, “He played the cards very badly.”
Specifically, Rasmussen criticized Trump for his handling of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, highlighting issues such as conceding Ukrainian territory to Russia. He also mentioned Trump’s decision to lift sanctions without demanding significant concessions from Moscow. Despite these concessions, Russian President Vladimir Putin remains unwilling to negotiate an end to the conflict.
Rasmussen is doubtful about the potential for a ceasefire, especially given Trump’s recent pressure on Ukraine. Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed a willingness to meet with Putin in Istanbul, the Russian leader has declined a ceasefire prior to negotiations.
He remarked that “Russians are playing the game,” suggesting a strategic competition for Trump’s attention, and he anticipates that the fighting will persist, even though Trump has indicated a desire to end the war.
The Western Alliance, according to Rasmussen, is undergoing a crisis of trust, fueled in part by Trump’s remarks on NATO. Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. might not meet its Article 5 commitment to defend NATO allies if they don’t spend enough on defense has eroded confidence within the alliance.
Rasmussen concurs with intelligence assessments indicating that Russia may target the European Union in the near future. He underscores the necessity for European nations to boost their defense budgets and support Ukraine. His think tank proposes doubling NATO’s defense budget target from 2% of GDP and mobilizing 400 billion euros for military spending.
He also suggests that the repercussions of Trump’s presidency may prompt a reevaluation of how democracies work together. To this end, Rasmussen proposes establishing a new “D7” group comprising the EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand—a coalition that he believes could create a formidable deterrent against pressures from China or the U.S.
