Russian Media Claims U.S. No Longer Sees Moscow as Threat, Aligns With Putin’s Values, and Views Europe as ‘Liberal Stronghold’ to Be Dismantled

A prominent Russian newspaper this week published a provocative editorial asserting that the United States no longer views Russia as a global threat, suggesting a perceived shift in American geopolitical priorities that Russia claims align more with President Vladimir Putin’s worldview than with traditional Western allies. The commentary also repeated a familiar Kremlin narrative that Europe’s liberal political culture is seen by Washington as an obstacle that should be “destroyed.”

The article builds on recent shifts in U.S. national security policy and Western strategic debates, reflecting how this coverage styles itself as part of a broader information campaign. Critics argue such narratives aim to exploit divisions between the U.S. and its European allies while reinforcing domestic support for Moscow’s foreign policy. 

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Shifts in U.S. Strategic Language Toward Russia

According to Russian media, the latest iteration of the U.S. National Security Strategy—released under the Trump administration—no longer labels Russia as a threat to the global order. Instead, it reframes priorities toward diplomatic engagement and stability on the Eurasian continent. Russian commentators claim this softening of language reflects a newfound strategic sympathy for Russian geopolitical interests. 

This interpretation also suggests that U.S. policymakers increasingly prioritize relations with Moscow over preserving European unity, implicitly casting Europe’s political institutions as irrelevant or counterproductive. In the Moscow media framing, this dynamic positions the U.S. and Russia as conceptually closer in ideological terms than either is with the “Old World” of Europe. 

Europe as a ‘Liberal Stronghold’ in Russian Narrative

The article portrays Europe not as a partner or peer but as a “liberal stronghold” whose cultural and political values are fundamentally opposed to those touted by Russia’s leadership. This framing echoes long‑standing Kremlin rhetoric that depicts European democracies as morally and socially weakened by liberal social policies, economic challenges, and internal divisions. Critics of this narrative point out that it aligns with Russian propaganda techniques used to undermine Western cohesion and diminish support for Ukraine. 

Context: U.S.–Europe Strategic Tensions

Outside Russian media, Western analysis highlights genuine tensions between the U.S. and European allies over foreign policy and defense priorities. Some critics in Europe have expressed concerns about unilateral U.S. diplomatic approaches that they believe leave European security interests underemphasized, especially regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and NATO’s future role. However, these debates are not uniform and often reflect complex domestic politics within the U.S. and Europe. 

European officials have publicly pushed back against claims that Washington wants to undermine European unity or liberal democracy, stressing that shared values and collective defense remain foundational to transatlantic relations.

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Media Framing and Information Wars

Analysts caution that Russian‑language media often present Western policy shifts through a prism designed to validate Kremlin foreign policy objectives and drive domestic support. By amplifying narratives of Western disarray, Russian outlets seek to portray Moscow as a stable global power resisting a decaying liberal order. Independent observers note that these narratives are part of broader information maneuvers aimed at shaping perceptions both domestically and abroad. 

How does Moscow view Donald Trump at the end of 2025? One Russian paper today: “The US leader’s philosophy is closer to the values of Russia’s president, not the politicians of the Old World…he sees Europe as a liberal stronghold that must be destroyed…” #ReadingRussia pic.twitter.com/uWPjvZxda0

— Steve Rosenberg (@BBCSteveR) December 29, 2025

What This Means for Global Politics

Whether or not the underlying claims are accurate, the prominence of this narrative in Russian media signals how geopolitical debates are increasingly fought not only with diplomats and troops, but also through strategic communication, media framing, and public perception campaigns.

For global audiences, the coverage underscores two key realities:

• Strategic narratives matter—how countries describe each other influences public opinion and policymaking;
• Perception gaps persist—different nations often interpret the same policy documents in ways that support their own geopolitical agendas.

As U.S., European, and Russian leaders continue to navigate tensions over Ukraine, NATO, and global power balances, narratives like these will remain influential, even if they diverge sharply from Western policy analysis.