Schiff Warns of Trump’s Hostile Foreign Policy; European Allies Alarmed

Schiff Warns of Trump’s Hostile Foreign Policy, Alleges Abandonment of Ukraine

Fresh off meetings with European leaders, Israeli officials, and international security experts, Sen. Adam Schiff has issued a blistering critique of President Trump’s approach to foreign policy. In an interview with The Times, the California Democrat accused Trump and his administration of abandoning Ukraine and betraying longstanding European allies, actions he described as not only unreliable but overtly hostile.

Alarm Among Foreign Allies

Schiff’s remarks come after a series of high-level meetings on a bipartisan congressional trip to Munich and Israel. “They’re terrified,” Schiff said, referring to European allies who are witnessing what he calls a betrayal of a key democratic ally at war. He noted that these leaders are deeply concerned about a president who is now blaming Ukraine for its own invasion by the Kremlin, questioning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s legitimacy, and essentially serving as a mouthpiece for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Bipartisan Concern in Washington

Schiff also revealed that Republican members of Congress on the trip echoed similar concerns in closed-door meetings. They reassured Zelenskyy that the U.S. still stands firmly behind Ukraine, and they made it clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Trump’s outlandish proposals regarding Gaza are completely untenable. Schiff stressed that there is no Senate support for any plan that would lead to U.S. military involvement in or occupation of Gaza.
 

Stark Departures from Established Policy

The senator’s comments follow a series of jaw-dropping pronouncements from Trump administration officials over the past two weeks. During his first visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels on February 12, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that the U.S. could no longer guarantee Europe’s security without Ukraine making massive territorial concessions. Later, at the Munich Security Conference, Vice President JD Vance focused more on lecturing European allies about democracy than addressing Russia’s war, even meeting with leaders from Germany’s far-right shortly before their national elections. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio initiated negotiations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov—excluding Ukraine entirely.

Trump's Controversial Rhetoric

Schiff highlighted that President Trump has repeatedly praised Putin and denigrated Zelenskyy, even going as far as to claim that Ukraine is to blame for the Kremlin’s invasion. Trump’s erratic foreign policy proposals have included bizarre suggestions that Gaza could be transformed into a U.S.-owned “Riviera of the Middle East” and even remarks about turning Canada into the 51st U.S. state. Such outlandish statements have alarmed both traditional allies and critics alike.

Expert Reactions: Tactic or True Shift?

Several U.S. foreign policy experts have described these recent moves as a profound departure from established U.S. policy. Robert English, director of Central European Studies at USC, called the administration’s actions “the most upsetting rupture” in transatlantic relations since World War II. However, some experts, like Benjamin Radd from UCLA’s Burkle Center, believe these bombastic positions may be a deliberate negotiating tactic designed to force more moderate concessions. “It’s trolling until it isn’t,” Radd remarked, warning that without opposition, Trump might well follow through on his outrageous proposals.

The Call for Accountability and Unity

Schiff warned that Trump’s irresponsible and dangerous approach—if left unchecked—could ultimately damage U.S. credibility and disrupt the international rules-based order that has sustained global stability since World War II. He argued that the future of U.S. foreign policy hinges on Europe’s ability to maintain a united front in support of Ukraine. “If he’s able to drive a wedge into European Union solidarity, then their resolve will fall apart,” Schiff said.

In addition to international concerns, Schiff stressed that Republican lawmakers in the Senate must now decide whether to stand up against Trump’s extreme positions. “Their own institution will be destroyed if they simply go along with his rhetoric,” he warned, urging them to back Ukraine not only through words but also through decisive votes.

A Plea for a Responsible Approach

In conversations with Israeli officials, Schiff made it clear that Trump’s proposals for Gaza are completely unrealistic. He emphasized that the long-term stability of the region hinges on a viable two-state solution, rather than on reckless plans that disregard the rights of Palestinians.

Schiff concluded by urging all Americans—lawmakers and ordinary citizens alike—to push back against what he described as a dangerous, unilateral foreign policy. “We’re all going to have an important role to play in the preservation of our democracy,” he said. “It’s time to reestablish guardrails and ensure that our country remains a force for good in the world.”

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