Cowboy Diplomacy Reloaded:

Madrid-based professor of international relations Chris Kostov reflects on recent actions of the Trump administration towards Ukraine, seeing the aggressive pronouncements, undiplomatic statements and proposed “deals” on resources and “peace” as a revival of cowboy diplomacy. Trump’s foreign policy fuels Putin’s agenda, blaming Ukraine for its own invasion while excusing Russian aggression. His admiration for strongmen and disregard for democratic alliances threaten global stability. This isn’t diplomacy—it’s a roadmap to authoritarian dominance, argues Kostov. Editorial note: This contribution results from our open call on Transatlantic Ruptures and Transformations. The views are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Editorial Board. We welcome further contributions from multiple standpoints, addressing the current and past reconfigurations of transatlantic relations and alliances.