Prime Minister Robert Abela seems intent on making sure he is quoted by the press for saying that Ukraine can’t win the war against Russia. He made this statement multiple times although it is absurd and goes against the spirit of constitutional neutrality. If you consistently want to invoke your neutrality about a conflict, why would you go and make a public statement about a military assessment that favours the belligerent party?
On the other hand, I highly doubt that the Prime Minister would take the matter as seriously as to request an accurate intelligence report about the war in Ukraine from the Armed Forces, yet why would the Armed Forces be able to provide such an intelligence report if they can’t even seem to guard their own bases?
The Prime Minister’s comments about the war in Ukraine conveniently complement his partisan rhetoric about the “warmongering” PN MEPs. More importantly, the Prime Minister’s absurd comments about Ukraine are mostly intended as part of the Maltese government’s foreign policy in seeking the Trump dividend: this is why the government has been so supportive and friendly toward the Trump Administration, that the Foreign Minister was even present for his Presidential inauguration. The Maltese government seems to be doing and saying the right things to keep a good relationship with the Trump Administration.
This Maltese foreign policy playbook with President Trump has been so far consistent and was also applied during the first Trump Presidency. However, today’s Trump’s Presidency is very different from the former. If previously Trump’s hyperbolic discourse and diplomatic antics oscillated constantly from bluff, brinkmanship and even straight shit-talk, today’s Trump Administration is effectively supporting dictatorships at Europe’s expense with clear and material effects. President Trump’s withdrawal of military aid to Ukraine has resulted in more civilian deaths via Russian airstrikes, while the Russian Army was thrown a lifeline by President Trump right before its frontlines Pokrovosk and Toretsk began to collapse. President Trump is not only pressuring Ukraine to capitulate to Russia, he is also pressuring Ukraine to hand over its mineral rights to the US on false pretexts about US military aid. The pressure by the US on Ukraine is constant and the behaviour of the US is effectively the equivalent of an imperialist that is trying to carve up a sovereign nation with another imperialist nation.
The Maltese government hasn’t changed its Trump foreign-policy textbook yet, and is still applying old, traditional, orthodox customs and theories that worked in a political and international world of treaties, diplomacy, negotiations, talk and lots of bluster and rhetoric. Times have deeply changed, however, and old-fashioned, traditional imperialism and ethnic cleansing have returned as normal and acceptable activities in global politics. The Maltese government is engaging in a lot of ridiculous rhetorical talk in a world where such talk no longer matters: fire and steel rule the world today.
Malta is not immune to fire and steel politics just because it is neutral: this is delusion, stupidity and in many cases outright and criminal deception that favours those who are against our national interests. Whilst being nice to President Trump may reap dividends, there is no guarantee that President Trump would ever uphold any agreement that he signs, or that he will sign any agreement in good fate. At the same time, President Trump’s re-alignment with Russia is material and real and not just diplomatic talk. Aligning with President Trump today is also effectively aligning with Russia.
Malta risks losing the trust of its European allies if it takes its rhetorical discourse too far. Trust levels are already not ideal in many cases. Malta is clearly and effectively in the EU’s camp and it should remain part of the European family both in spirit and international politics. It should also take opportunity to seek even better alliances and cooperation with European countries at a time when European unity is on the political agenda of most European governments. Even Turkey is currently banging its fist at the door of EU membership. Trying to rhetorically dismiss Europe to appease President Trump during this critical time can be reckless and even stupid.
Preferably, the Prime Minister should refrain from speaking about foreign politics altogether. He has no idea what he’s talking about, and his statements are detrimental to our reputation and standing in Europe, especially at a time when we should be seeking stronger relations with European countries.
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