The Kremlin's Shadow Over Washington D.C.: A Security Crisis Unveiled
The air is thick with suspicion and concern. The word on everyone's lips is 'betrayal.' It's no longer just the whispers of experts like Françoise Thom, Dominique Moïsi, and Pierre Servent; it's a growing worry that's reaching the highest levels of state power. From Emmanuel Macron's conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky to Chancellor Friedrich Merz's reported consternation in Der Spiegel, the sentiment is clear. But to truly understand the gravity of this moment, we must turn to General Michel Yakovleff's powerful metaphor.
In describing U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff's forced wait before being received at the Kremlin, Yakovleff sums up the situation with a chilling phrase attributed to Vladimir Putin: 'So, are you bringing me the head, the ears, and the tail?' This brutal bullfighting metaphor conveys a stark message: unless Ukraine is completely conquered and submits, there's no point in discussing anything further. This intuition of a disguised capitulation, unfortunately, is confirmed by a closer look at official texts.
The American press, however, is a beacon of light in this political darkness. Yet, why is Congress still silent? Senators can't claim ignorance for much longer. Week after week, they witness actors who bear little resemblance to the servants of the rule of law. Without realizing it, they're dismantling the Atlantic Alliance, primarily benefiting the Kremlin, not 'America First.'
** Decoding: The Moment of Truth
The first week of December 2025 marked a turning point. American foreign policy ceased being 'isolationist' and became ideologically aligned with the Kremlin's theses. Two major documents – the peace plan presented to Moscow and the new National Security Strategy – revealed an unprecedented contamination of American doctrine by Russian talking points and interests.
I. The 'Witkoff Plan' (December 2): A Disguised Capitulation
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's visit to Moscow exposed the reality of 'negotiations.' The text presented was far from a classic American proposal. Instead, it seemed dictated by Russian realities, validating the hypothesis of a drafting influenced by Moscow's desires.
- Validating Conquests: The plan de facto ratified Russian control over nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory and demanded that Kyiv formally renounce any NATO membership.
- Diplomatic Choreography: Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov confirmed a 'preliminary agreement' existed before the envoy's arrival, suggesting the visit was a formality to record already granted concessions.
II. The National Security Strategy (December 5): Russian 'Soft Power'
Even more alarming than the peace plan, the doctrinal document published on December 5 (NSS 2025) marks an anthropological rupture.
- Adopting Kremlin Rhetoric: The official document uses the term 'civilizational erasure' to describe the migratory threat weighing on the West. This vocabulary is a direct borrowing from Russian ideologues who have long described a 'decadent' and submerged Europe, justifying the need for strong, closed regimes.
- The 'Trump Corollary': The text officializes the American retreat to the Western Hemisphere and the closing of borders, marking the end of the role of 'Atlas' supporting the liberal international order.
III. The Shock of the International Press
Major global newspapers now validate the initial analysis: there's a troubling convergence between the two capitals.
- The European Shock: The Financial Times describes the new doctrine as a 'painful reality check' for European allies, who are discovering that Washington now considers their open societies as counter-models.
- The End of Shared Values: The New York Times highlights that the American administration no longer defines national security by the defense of democracy but by the preservation of a besieged cultural identity, aligning itself with Vladimir Putin's worldview.
Conclusion
The simultaneity of these two texts (the military plan and the political doctrine) confirms that we're not witnessing a simple diplomatic pause but a fundamental revision.
By adopting the concepts of 'culture war' and 'zones of influence,' Washington is offering Moscow a victory more precious than any territorial gain: an ideological victory.
Joël-François Dumont
