Bill Emmott
Is Donald Trump proposing a capitulation to Russia or isn’t he? The messages concerning the war in Ukraine have been as mixed and confusing as ever, whether the source is President Trump himself in Washington or his Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Vice President J.D. Vance traveling in Europe and following the novel alliance-management technique of insulting your friends at every opportunity.
Whatever the reality, two things are clear:
- Nothing can or will be settled until negotiations actually begin between the victim, Ukraine, and the invader, Russia – so pre-emptive panic, outrage or despair are pointless.
- If Europe wants to protect its own security in the long term it will have to be a bold, ambitious and strong partner for Ukraine both immediately and in the future.
This is not a new revelation. European leaders must work out how best to protect their nations’ interests in a world in which their post-war partnership with the United States is at best in suspension, at worst destroyed.
This means that flattering Donald Trump or offering concessions to him is not just a waste of time but counter-productive. Europe needs to show strength, not sycophancy, to both of the dictatorial bullies it is faced with: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Of course, Europe is divided. But it always is, which is why the European Union is necessary, and why even the EU often must work through coalitions of the willing rather than a full consensus.
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