

Economic and Political Consequences of the Election The Effect of U.S.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump's recent actions on Ukraine have strengthened Russian President Vladimir Putin and severely undermined NATO allies, sending shockwaves through the international world. Trump has yanked the rug out from under Europe and reshaped the geopolitical balance by acknowledging Russian authority over Ukrainian areas, indicating a hesitancy to back Ukraine's NATO aspirations, and starting unilateral talks with Russia.

The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia has brought Ukraine's NATO membership aspirations to the forefront of global geopolitical discussions. On February 12, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth addressed the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels, stating that restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders and incorporating it into NATO were "unrealistic objectives." This statement signified a shift in U.S. foreign policy, which now focuses on limiting direct engagement in the conflict while urging European allies to take greater responsibility.