The Final Game: Trump, Putin, and Europe's Democratic Crisis
A new geopolitical strategy appears to be emerging where Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin coordinate efforts to undermine European democracy. Their support for leaders like Viktor Orbán and the far-right AfD party represents a coordinated challenge to European stability and democratic values.
This article analyzes a potential coordinated geopolitical shift involving Trump, Putin, and European anti-democratic movements. The US National Security Strategy now explicitly identifies Europe as a strategic opponent.
Trump's approach to Ukraine suggests he prioritizes ending the conflict quickly to resume business with Putin, potentially at Ukraine's expense. Three European regions are identified as critical battlegrounds: Ukraine, where pressure continues for unfavorable peace terms; Hungary, where Viktor Orbán faces elections with both Trump and Putin supporting him; and Germany, where the far-right AfD party claims direct communication channels with both leaders.
The article argues that democratic parties across Europe are weakening, while leaders like Macron, Starmer, and Merz face internal political pressures. Germany, currently Europe's most stable major power, bears special responsibility for defending democratic values.
The year 2026 emerges as decisive, with US midterm elections and European political contests determining democracy's future. The article warns that once radical populists gain power, institutional safeguards may fail to protect democracy, emphasizing that historical shifts often result from democratic weakness rather than autocratic strength.
This article has been summarized and translated using AI to help you practice reading and comprehension. While we strive for accuracy, some nuances may be lost in translation.