The Kremlin has expressed approval of the Trump administration’s newly unveiled National Security Strategy, describing its core principles as substantially aligned with Moscow’s geopolitical perspective. Released last week, the 33-page document presents a radical departure from traditional U.S. foreign policy by reframing Europe’s challenges as existential threats while notably avoiding characterization of Russia as a direct adversary to American interests.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov conveyed Moscow’s position through state-owned TASS news agency on Sunday, stating, “The adjustments we’re seeing are largely consistent with our vision. We consider this a positive step.” The Russian government indicated it would continue analyzing the document before forming definitive conclusions.
The strategic blueprint identifies combatting foreign influence, halting mass migration, and resisting the European Union’s perceived practices of “censorship” as primary objectives. It advances controversial language suggesting Europe faces “civilisational erasure” and questions whether certain European nations will maintain sufficiently robust economies and militaries to remain reliable U.S. allies.
European leaders and policy experts have responded with measured concern. German Foreign Minister Wadephul acknowledged the enduring importance of NATO alliances while questioning the document’s focus on freedom of expression issues. “The US will remain our most important ally in the alliance. This alliance, however, is focused on addressing security policy issues,” he stated on Friday.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk delivered a more direct message via social media, asserting to his “American friends” that “Europe is your closest ally, not your problem” and emphasizing their “common enemies.” Meanwhile, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt characterized the document as positioning itself “to the right of the extreme right.”
The strategy advocates for re-establishing strategic stability with Russia, which European officials fear could undermine collective efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. It specifically criticizes the EU for allegedly obstructing American peace initiatives and endorses influencing policy through alignment with “patriotic European parties.”
Additional components include potential military operations against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Caribbean and eastern Pacific waters, possible intervention in Venezuela, and calls for increased defense spending from Pacific allies including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Taiwan.
Congressional Democrats have issued stern warnings about the document’s potential consequences. Representative Jason Crow of Colorado, who serves on House intelligence and armed services committees, labeled the strategy “catastrophic to America’s standing in the world,” while New York Representative Gregory Meeks argued it “discards decades of value-based, U.S. leadership.”