US Foreign Policy at Crossroads for Treatment of Russia, Europe

Lindsay Newman, Geopolitical Risk Expert & Columnist for GZero Media, examines the origins and implications of the so-called “Donroe Doctrine” in U.S. foreign policy.

Europe needs to take a “more aggressive” approach to Moscow, President Donald Trump’s envoy to NATO told Bloomberg in an interview today, as negotiations to tap frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine intensify.

Ambassador Matthew Whitaker urged the EU to move forward with the plan to tap immobilized Russian central bank assets in an interview with Bloomberg Television in Berlin. It would be a “significant step” in shoring up Kyiv’s dwindling financing for “several years,” economically and militarily, he said.

“I think it would also point to a new step — a more aggressive Europe,” he said. “The time for them to act boldly is now.”

Whitaker, one of the first ambassadorial appointments of Trump’s second term, also warned that Russia’s unpredictability — not its military prowess — means they could make a move on NATO territory. “We agree with our allies, we’re going to defend every inch,” the envoy said.

The US push for Europe to deploy Kremlin assets to fund Ukraine doesn’t come as a surprise. The fact that the vast majority of the assets are held in Europe means that the US was never on the hook to the same extent.

But Whitaker’s message for Europe to go harder on Russia offers something of a contrast to Trump’s often ambiguous position when it comes to Vladimir Putin.

The comments align with a shift in tone from Trump in recent days. The US president signaled this weekend that he would support proposed legislation in the US Senate to impose secondary sanctions and tariffs on countries buying Russian energy products – measures that would hit India and China in particular.

Senator Lindsey Graham, who has been championing the measure, said overnight that Congress would move forward with the legislation, which includes the possibility of 500% tariffs on countries that do business with Russia.

‘Paper Tiger’

Whitaker lauded European NATO members for following up on pledges to spend more on defense, saying he was “overall very pleased” with the response to US pressure. Some allies are “in a better position economically than others in the near term,” he said. “But I think long term there is a substantial commitment.”

Riffing off Trump calling Russia a “paper tiger” — a comment that triggered a furious response in Moscow — Whitaker said Russia’s military isn’t “necessarily that strong.” Europe rather should be prepared because the Kremlin is “reckless — they’re unpredictable and they may make a move on NATO territory,” Whitaker said.

Asked whether Germany’s rapid rearmament risks creating an imbalance in Europe, Whitaker praised Berlin as a “model ally” and “a different Germany” — but said “there also needs to be an equalization within Europe.”

Trump’s efforts to secure peace in Ukraine have stalled as Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected concessions and overtures to meet with Zelenskiy.

“We’re going continue to look for opportunities to negotiate,” Whitaker said. A “bone-crushing” sanctions bill in Congress is “just waiting for the green light”, he added, noting that Trump was supportive of it — and may want to add Iran.

Queried about allegations in Kyiv after the country’s anti-graft agencies uncovered widespread corruption in the energy sector, Whitaker said Zelenskiy and the leadership in Ukraine had adopted the “right tone.”

“Ultimately I think it will all shake out good, but we need them on a path to be more like the West and intolerant of corruption,” Whitaker said.

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