Oval Office Fallout – The End of Transatlantic Illusions #103

As promised, we’re back this week to unpack the aftermath of the now-infamous Oval Office incident between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—with Vice President JD Vance awkwardly present in the background. This diplomatic mess goes far beyond the usual theatrics, shaking the very foundations of US Foreign Policy.

In Europe (and Canada), leaders are scrambling to respond—some choosing appeasement, others facing the reality that this could be the final nail in the coffin of the transatlantic partnership. We highlight two key reactions: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who manages to strike a surprisingly decent tone, and German almost-chancellor Friedrich Merz, who performs a full 180 just ten days after his election.

What does this tell us about the West’s ability to adapt—or its tendency to ...