The White House national security strategy document, published late Thursday, gives a harsh assessment of Europe—but also makes clear that it is of vital importance to the U.S.

Here are some of the things it has to say about Europe, Ukraine, and Russia.

Civilizational Erasure

“…economic decline is eclipsed by the real and more stark prospect of civilizational erasure.

“The larger issues facing Europe include activities of the European Union and other transnational bodies that undermine political liberty and sovereignty, migration policies that are transforming the continent and creating strife, censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition, cratering birthrates, and loss of national identities and self-confidence.

“Should present trends continue, the continent will be unrecognizable in 20 years or less.

“As such, it is far from obvious whether certain European countries will have economies and militaries strong enough to remain reliable allies…We want Europe to remain European, to regain its civilizational self-confidence, and to abandon its failed focus on regulatory suffocation.”

Hard Power Advantage Over Russia

“This lack of self-confidence is most evident in Europe’s relationship with Russia. European allies enjoy a significant hard power advantage over Russia by almost every measure, save nuclear weapons.”

Quick Ukraine Peace

“It is a core interest of the United States to negotiate an expeditious cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, in order to stabilize European economies, prevent unintended escalation or expansion of the war, and reestablish strategic stability with Russia, as well as to enable the post-hostilities reconstruction of Ukraine to enable its survival as a viable state.”

Unrealistic Expectations, Trampling on Democracy

“The Trump Administration finds itself at odds with European officials who hold unrealistic expectations for the war perched in unstable minority governments, many of which trample on basic principles of democracy to suppress opposition. A large European majority wants peace, yet that desire is not translated into policy, in large measure because of those governments’
subversion of democratic processes. This is strategically important to the United States precisely because European states cannot reform themselves if they are trapped in political crisis.”

Europe Is Vital

“Europe remains strategically and culturally vital to the United States. Transatlantic trade remains one of the pillars of the global economy and of American prosperity…American diplomacy should continue to stand up for genuine democracy, freedom of expression, and unapologetic celebrations of European nations’ individual character and history.

“America encourages its political allies in Europe to promote this revival of spirit, and the growing influence of patriotic European parties indeed gives cause for great optimism. Our goal should be to help Europe correct its current trajectory.

“We will need a strong Europe to help us successfully compete, and to work in concert with us to prevent any adversary from dominating Europe…We want to work with aligned countries that want to restore their former greatness.”

Unreliable NATO Allies

“Over the long term, it is more than plausible that within a few decades at the latest, certain NATO members will become majority non-European. As such, it is an open question whether they will view their place in the world, or their alliance with the United States, in the same way as those who signed the NATO charter.”