From the Coalition of the Willing and committing European troops on the ground in Ukraine, to accepting Russia’s demand to Ukraine to reduce its military, European leaders are capitulating to Russia and President Donald Trump at an alarming speed.
The fear is very irrational and European leaders are suddenly turning their back on Ukraine. The US and Europe are surrendering to an enemy, in a war without even having fired a shot. The level of complacency and indifference by European leaders at such a critical time is unprecedented. All Russia needed to scare off European leaders was to send some unarmed drones to European airports while bombing embassies in Kyiv.
On a diplomatic level, Europe has lost a lot of traction and leverage in the Trans-Atlantic relationship since EU Commissioner President Ursula von der Leyen unilaterally agreed to a 15% US tariff on European goods under pressure from US President Donald Trump. This incredible failure at conducting a proper negotiation with the US in coordination with other allies such as Canada marked a clear sign that politically Europe is being weakened by its own leaders.
What is even more alarming is that Europe seems to be giving up to hold Russians accountable for their war crimes. Vladimir Putin has a pending arrest warrant against him by the International Criminal Court. The idea that sanctions should be removed from Russia with a capitulation plan is insane: Russia should never be allowed to trade again with the West under its current imperialist and belligerent regime. Russia will remain Europe’s enemy even in peacetime.
There is a material reality on the ground which doesn’t reflect the reality of the US and Kremlin imperialist diktats over Ukraine. President Zelensky said that Ukrainians have to choose between dignity and losing a key partner – an obvious and even implied choice. President Zelensky is following the diplomatic steps provided by the US but there is no genuine interest for capitulation in Ukraine.
Up to 10 million Ukrainians have been displaced by Russia in this war and Ukraine is a sovereign nation. Ukraine knows that it can not win a decisive victory against Russia and it is fighting a long-term war of attrition. On the other hand, capitulation means a disregard for the 10 million people who have been displaced, those who lost their lives and those who are still fighting. No one will change the feelings and the needs of these people with the stroke of a pen. The war in Ukraine was started by Russia and its consequences are deep and long-lasting, unless Ukraine wins the war and retakes its lost territories.
President Trump’s pressure will also wane off once he is busy with other matters although forcing Ukraine to capitulate has become one of this top priorities. We’ve already been through this a number of times and it’s highly unlikely there will be a different result.
This week, the European People’s Party will be holding an emergency vote at the European Parliament to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Feature image of the EU Commissioner President and President Donald Trump at the tariffs meetings in Scotland in July.
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