Donald Trump’s decision to withhold military aid to Ukraine is far more than a domestic show of power. It is a geopolitical earthquake that further destabilizes an already fragile world order. While Ukraine fights a desperate defensive battle against Russian aggression, Trump’s actions send a clear message: Under his leadership, the U.S. is no longer a reliable partner.

This decision is not only a setback for Kyiv—it could shake the entire Western alliance and embolden autocratic forces worldwide. Trump’s leadership style reveals a pattern of selfishness and impulsivity, with far-reaching consequences for global stability. Yet his exercise of power is not unique in history. It follows a dangerous pattern: pathological leadership.

Pathological Leadership – When Power Becomes a Threat

Pathological leadership is not based on rational, responsible, or ethical decision-making but on psychopathological personality structures. Leaders with such traits tend to wield power selfishly, manipulatively, and destructively—often with devastating consequences for their surroundings and society.

Particularly in politics, narcissistic personality disorders pose a significant danger. Pathological narcissistic leaders are extremely self-centered, demand constant admiration, and do not tolerate criticism. Their decisions do not serve the well-being of the people but rather their own self-aggrandizement and power retention. Moreover, they lack compassion. While they may possess cognitive empathy—the ability to understand others intellectually—they cannot truly feel empathy for the suffering of others. People are mere tools for them, to be used, manipulated, or sacrificed as needed. Deception, exploitation, and lies are their preferred instruments for acquiring and maintaining power.

This is accompanied by high impulsivity and a willingness to take risks. Pathological narcissistic leaders often act recklessly, make spontaneous decisions, and ignore long-term consequences—something that can be especially disastrous in geopolitics. Their mindset is characterized by enemy images and a deeply ingrained ideology of division. They categorize the world into "friends" and "enemies" and rely on conspiracy theories to secure their power. Division and fear are essential elements of their strategy.

Trump's approach to Ukraine is not an isolated incident. He consistently follows the pattern of “the power of the strong,” which has defined his entire political career. This political strategy is based on the ideology that laws, ethics, and democratic principles do not determine societal and political developments—only the ability to dominate others does. This way of thinking follows the principle that power is not derived from legitimacy or justice but from dominance, economic or military superiority, and the willingness to wield it ruthlessly.

In international politics, this pattern manifests in disregard for international agreements, the suppression of weaker states, and violence or economic pressure to enforce national interests. Trump has repeatedly demonstrated that he intends to apply this principle in his foreign policy. Examples include his claimed interest in the Panama Canal, the proposed renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, and his threats to seize Greenland by force. His “America First” policy views multilateral cooperation as a weakness and prioritizes unilateral actions—even at the expense of long-standing allies.

Within the U.S., this principle leads to autocratic tendencies, the dismantling of democratic institutions—such as the weakening of US-AID—and increasing social inequality and division. Political opponents are treated as enemies, and minorities are systematically disadvantaged. This ideology destabilizes societies and international peace because it replaces cooperation and fairness with power struggles and fosters authoritarian structures.

The Geopolitical Dimension: A World in Turmoil

For Trump, personal interests take precedence over the common good. He makes impulsive decisions without strategic foresight, and the consequences for allies are secondary. The geopolitical consequences of this egocentric exercise of power are severe.

Russia's expansion is facilitated, as Putin's strategy relies on undermining Western unity. If Trump abandons Ukraine in the long run, it could encourage Russia to push further—possibly even targeting NATO countries. China could become more aggressive, as a weakened Western alliance might embolden Beijing to assert its territorial claims with greater determination. Global flashpoints could escalate, as autocratic regimes like Iran or North Korea might interpret American weakness as an invitation to pursue their geopolitical goals more aggressively.

Europe must reposition itself, as the EU can no longer rely on a U.S. led by a pathological leader.

Before the EU crisis summit on Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a comprehensive “Plan for the Rearmament of Europe” in response to growing threats. The plan aims to mobilize nearly €800 billion to strengthen the defense capabilities of EU member states. This is the right path forward.

Who Is Pulling the Strings Behind Trump?

Yet, beyond the obvious current dangers, an even more troubling question arises: Is Trump still acting of his own free will—or is he already being controlled by more powerful actors behind the scenes? Does Putin have leverage over him? What role do the Heritage Foundation and the tech giants play? His vice-presidential candidacy fell on J.D. Vance, a politician he likely would never have chosen voluntarily. Yet, he seemingly had no choice. Who made this decision—and for what reason?

This raises an even deeper dimension of the threat: What do Elon Musk, J.D. Vance, or Peter Thiel—co-founder of Palantir and a key power broker in Silicon Valley—know about Trump?

If Trump is indeed blackmailable, then he is not just a pathological leader but an incalculable risk to the United States. A blackmailed president would no longer be in control of his own decisions but would become a ticking time bomb. If Trump were to be removed from office for this reason, J.D. Vance would become president—a man closely tied to Peter Thiel.

Of course, these are speculations. But if even a fraction of them is true, the U.S. is in an extremely dangerous situation. Trump, as a pathological narcissistic leader, already represents a massive security risk. But if he is also compromised, this could push the world into chaos.

Europe must prepare for all scenarios—because if a president is not only dangerous on his own but also subject to external pressure, then the global risk is far greater than previously assumed.