Former Prime Minister Sir John Major has warned that the world could become “rather more dangerous” if the United States retreats into isolationism, leaving a power vacuum that China or Russia could exploit.
Speaking on BBC’s The World This Weekend, Sir John cautioned that democracy is under threat, and that authoritarian regimes would be emboldened if the United States fails to stand by its allies.
A shift in global power
Sir John Major expressed deep concern over America’s role on the world stage, particularly in light of recent comments made by former US President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that the world is changing and that it’s reshaping, that it may not be reshaping in a way that’s congenial to the West and that it’s a very unsettled time indeed.”
Sir John’s remarks come amid fears that the US may no longer be willing to fully back Ukraine, following Trump’s recent phone call with Vladimir Putin, in which he suggested that peace negotiations should begin without consulting Ukraine or its allies.
Fears over Trump’s approach to Ukraine
Criticising Trump’s apparent concessions to Russia, Sir John warned that allowing Putin to retain territory taken by force would set a dangerous precedent.
“The President’s phone call to Putin, in which we learned that negotiations to end the war would start immediately. There had been no consultation with Ukraine or anyone else.
“He then made concessions to Russia, which I think is fairly unprecedented, having made perfectly clear that the US troops would not defend Ukraine, that Russia might be able to keep land that Putin had taken by force, that Ukraine would not be able to join NATO.”
He argued that such unilateral decisions by the US could have far-reaching consequences, not just for Ukraine but for the wider global order.
The risk of empowering dictators
Sir John warned that any perceived victory for Russia in Ukraine would have severe geopolitical repercussions.
“If Russia can claim a win: China is going to notice that, and so will the world, and so will every tin-pot dictator around the world.”
This, he suggested, could lead to increased aggression from authoritarian regimes, further threatening global stability.
The danger of US isolationism
Sir John expressed concern that America’s retreat from its international commitments could lead to an imbalance of power, with China and Russia seizing the opportunity to expand their influence.
“If America is not to stand behind its allies in the way the world has previously seen, then we are moving into a wholly different and in my view, rather more dangerous world.”
He warned that if Russia “succeeds in their adventure in Ukraine”, they would likely continue their aggression elsewhere, posing a direct threat to Europe and beyond.
“If America behaves in this fashion and retreats towards isolation, she leaves the door open to China and Russia.”
Sir John stressed that the free world depends on America’s leadership, and that its withdrawal from global responsibilities would leave democratic nations vulnerable.
“And the free world, I believe, now fears that America, with all her great power and prestige and all that she has done to keep the world safe in recent years, may now be turning her back on the international responsibilities she has previously taken.”
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Democracy under threat
Sir John also painted a pessimistic picture of the future of democracy, warning that it has been in decline for nearly two decades.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that democracy is threatened. It’s been in modest decline for the last 18 years. There’s an ugly nationalism growing mostly from the intolerant right.”
He suggested that the rise of nationalism, coupled with the retreat of democratic leadership, could lead to a more unstable and volatile world.
The global implications
Sir John Major’s remarks highlight a growing concern among Western leaders that the world is entering a new and uncertain era.
With Russia continuing its aggression in Ukraine, China expanding its influence, and the United States potentially stepping back from its leadership role, many fear that the balance of global power is shifting away from the democratic world.
While the UK and its European allies remain committed to supporting Ukraine and upholding democratic values, the uncertainty over America’s future role raises serious questions about the long-term stability of the international order.
For now, the world watches closely as the US grapples with its foreign policy direction, knowing that the choices it makes will shape the future of global security for years to come.
