Former US intelligence officer: White House incident to strain ties with Europe

Former US intelligence officer Scott Ritter has said that the recent incident at the White House is poised to affect relations between the US and Europe.

In a discussion on the "Ask the Inspector" podcast on X, Ritter suggested that the scandal surrounding the event was a strategic trap aimed at European nations, Caliber.Az reports.

Ritter remarked that Europe was no longer needed, suggesting that the US had become increasingly disillusioned with its European allies, noting that there was mutual disdain between the two sides.

He went on to highlight a shift in the US international alliances, stating that the country now has a new friend in Russia. Russia's military capabilities, including an army strong enough to destroy Europe, make it a more strategic partner for the US moving forward. 

President Trump has recently sharply criticised President Zelenskyy following a tense and fiery confrontation in the Oval Office, accusing the Ukrainian leader of "disrespecting the United States of America." The two leaders had been set to hold a joint press conference following the signing of a framework mineral agreement, but the scheduled event was abruptly canceled. 

Sources familiar with the matter say the exchange escalated quickly, with Trump and Zelenskyy engaging in a shouting match, and Vice President Vance questioning whether Zelenskyy had sufficiently acknowledged US support for Ukraine. The disagreement has sparked concern among policymakers, with many wondering what impact the altercation will have on the US-Ukraine relations going forward.

By Naila Huseynova