The Time for Flattering Trump Is Over
Europe can no longer expect anything from the U.S. government. It must quickly move away from rhetorical solidarity for Ukraine and act decisively.
We live in a time of exaggeration. We declare far too many decisions in international or national politics “historic” or a “turning point.” Nevertheless, I agree with Russia expert Alexander Gabuev of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center about the recently published 33-page U.S. National Security Strategy. Gabuev has noted that “nowhere in the security strategy is Russia named an adversary. This is a revolution.”*
Thomas L. Friedman, three-time Pulitzer Prize winner and columnist for The New York Times, also speaks of a total geopolitical about-face in a period of ever closer association between Moscow and Beijing. He points out that the Trumpists view Vladimir Putin, and not the European nations, as the defender of white Christian nationalism and traditional values. Focused on race and faith, they don’t see Russia and China as the greatest threat, but rather uncontrolled migration to the United States. At the same time, the rise of nationalist, right-wing populist parties is, according to this interpretation, “cause for great optimism.”
In accordance with this ideology, the erratic speculator in the White House is making a pact with the Russian dictator, as it is said, in order to reach a rapid end to the Ukraine war. The enormous pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to relinquish the region in the Donbas held for almost four years in exchange for vague security guarantees demonstrates the fact that the diverse proposals from Washington essentially amount to a betrayal of Ukraine. Trump is making no effort to conceal his contempt for the Ukrainian president. He attacks him repeatedly, as he did a few days ago: “Basically everyone likes the deal except President Zelenskyy.”*
However, Ukraine’s future should not depend on Zelenskyy’s talks in Berlin with Trump’s two emissaries, special envoy Steve Witkoff, his real estate investor friend, and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law. According to reports, Putin has managed to lead Witkoff around by the nose with “brilliant” business offers in six meetings in Moscow. That is why Trump is siding with Putin ever more blatantly.
Interest-free Loan
More likely, the dice will fall at the EU summit on Dec. 18 and 19. The “coalition of the willing” could transform a portion of frozen Russian assets worth about 193 billion euro (approximately $227 billion) into an interest-free loan for Ukraine and thus prevent the financial collapse of the Ukrainian state at the beginning of the year as it fights for survival.
Instead of rhetorical solidarity, the EU should overcome national selfishness and coordinate finance arms production with purchasing American arms. If this fails once again, the failure will boost Putin’s imperial ambitions enormously. We cannot expect anything from the Trump administration. The time for flattering the egomaniac Trump has passed.
*Editor’s note: While accurately translated, these quoted remarks could not be independently verified.
We live in a time of exaggeration. We declare far too many decisions in international or national politics “historic” or a “turning point.” Nevertheless, I agree with Russia expert Alexander Gabuev of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center about the recently published 33-page U.S. National Security Strategy. Gabuev has noted that “nowhere in the security strategy is Russia named an adversary. This is a revolution.”*
Thomas L. Friedman, three-time Pulitzer Prize winner and columnist for The New York Times, also speaks of a total geopolitical about-face in a period of ever closer association between Moscow and Beijing. He points out that the Trumpists view Vladimir Putin, and not the European nations, as the defender of white Christian nationalism and traditional values. Focused on race and faith, they don’t see Russia and China as the greatest threat, but rather uncontrolled migration to the United States. At the same time, the rise of nationalist, right-wing populist parties is, according to this interpretation, “cause for great optimism.”
In accordance with this ideology, the erratic speculator in the White House is making a pact with the Russian dictator, as it is said, in order to reach a rapid end to the Ukraine war. The enormous pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to relinquish the region in the Donbas held for almost four years in exchange for vague security guarantees demonstrates the fact that the diverse proposals from Washington essentially amount to a betrayal of Ukraine. Trump is making no effort to conceal his contempt for the Ukrainian president. He attacks him repeatedly, as he did a few days ago: “Basically everyone likes the deal except President Zelenskyy.”*
However, Ukraine’s future should not depend on Zelenskyy’s talks in Berlin with Trump’s two emissaries, special envoy Steve Witkoff, his real estate investor friend, and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law. According to reports, Putin has managed to lead Witkoff around by the nose with “brilliant” business offers in six meetings in Moscow. That is why Trump is siding with Putin ever more blatantly.
Interest-free Loan
More likely, the dice will fall at the EU summit on Dec. 18 and 19. The “coalition of the willing” could transform a portion of frozen Russian assets worth about 193 billion euro (approximately $227 billion) into an interest-free loan for Ukraine and thus prevent the financial collapse of the Ukrainian state at the beginning of the year as it fights for survival.
Instead of rhetorical solidarity, the EU should overcome national selfishness and coordinate finance arms production with purchasing American arms. If this fails once again, the failure will boost Putin’s imperial ambitions enormously. We cannot expect anything from the Trump administration. The time for flattering the egomaniac Trump has passed.
*Editor’s note: While accurately translated, these quoted remarks could not be independently verified.
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