Russia has welcomed US President Donald Trump's new National Security Strategy, calling it “largely consistent” with Moscow's vision.
33 page document released by the US administration this weeksuggests that Europe is facing “civilizational erasure” and does not consider Russia a threat to the US.
Other priorities in the report include combating foreign influence, stopping mass migration and ending alleged EU practices of “censorship.”
Several EU officials and analysts have spoken out against the strategy, questioning its focus on freedom of expression and comparing it to the language used by the Kremlin.
“The adjustments we are seeing… are largely consistent with our vision,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview published by Russian state news agency TASS on Sunday.
“We consider this a positive step,” he said, adding that Moscow will continue to analyze the document before drawing serious conclusions.
The strategy uses softer language toward Russia, which EU officials fear could weaken its position vis-à-vis Moscow as it pushes for an end to the war in Ukraine.
The document accuses the EU of blocking US efforts to end the conflict and says the US must “restore strategic stability in Russia”, which will “stabilize the European economy”.
He appears to favor efforts to influence politics on the continent, noting that U.S. policy should prioritize “resisting Europe’s current trajectory within European countries.”
The new report also calls for a restoration of “Western identity” and argues that Europe will be “unrecognizable in 20 years or less” with its economic problems “overshadowed by the real and harsher prospect of civilizational erasure.”
“It is far from clear that some European countries will have economies and militaries strong enough to remain reliable allies,” the document says.
In contrast, the document celebrates the influence of “patriotic European parties” and states that “America calls on its political allies in Europe to promote a revival of the spirit.”
As the EU engages in ongoing negotiations with the Trump administration to reach a peace deal in Ukraine, some officials have emphasized their strong relationship with the US while raising “questions” about the document.
“The United States will remain our most important ally in [Nato] alliance. However, this alliance is focused on resolving security policy issues,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful said on Friday.
“I believe that questions of freedom of expression or the organization of our free societies do not belong [in the strategy]anyway, at least when it comes to Germany.”
In a social media post addressed to his “American friends,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that “Europe is your closest ally, not your problem,” and noted their “common enemies.”
“This is the only reasonable strategy for our common security. Unless something changes.”
Meanwhile, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt wrote that the document “positions itself to the right of the far right.”
The Trump administration has established ties with far-right AfD party in Germanywhich was classified by German intelligence as far-right.
Promoting the slogan “America First,” the strategy says the U.S. intends to target suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, given possible military action in Venezuela.
The US is also calling for increased defense spending in Japan, South Korea, Australia and Taiwan.
Democrats in Congress warned that the document could destroy US foreign relations.
Colorado Representative Jason Crow, who sits on the House committees overseeing intelligence and military services, called the strategy “disastrous for America's standing in the world.”
New York Rep. Gregory Meeks said it “rolls back decades of U.S. value leadership.”
