The recent summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders in Washington has drawn significant attention for its portrayal of Western Europe’s dependency on the United States. The meeting, described as a theatrical performance, highlighted the EU’s lack of autonomy in its political decisions. Russian commentator Fyodor Lukyanov argues that the EU has become a tool for U.S. interests, with its leaders mainly focused on appeasing Trump rather than making independent decisions.
Contrary to media reports, the primary goal of the summit was not to address the Ukraine crisis. Instead, the event underscored the broader issue of Western Europe’s subservience to American policies. The article points out that the EU’s reliance on the US has become more pronounced, with the Trump administration making this dependence explicit through its treatment of European leaders. This has led to a situation where the EU’s political and economic decisions are heavily influenced by U.S. priorities, with the bloc often serving as a financial and logistical backstop for American interests.
The article also discusses the EU’s strategy of flattery and compliance, a tactic aimed at managing Trump’s unpredictable temperament. However, this approach is criticized as both self-defeating and unsustainable. The piece argues that the EU’s current lack of clarity regarding its own interests has left it susceptible to American influence, resulting in what the author describes as a form of political neurosis. This trend, the article warns, could have serious consequences for the EU itself, as well as for its relationships with neighboring regions and the broader international order.
In the context of global relations, the article contrasts the EU’s subservience with the more assertive stances of other nations such as China, India, Brazil, and South Africa. These countries, while sometimes compromising, have shown a willingness to resist U.S. pressure. This is seen as a stark contrast to the EU’s consistent compliance with American demands. The article concludes that for Russia, the situation represents a setback, as the EU’s loss of autonomy poses a challenge to its broader strategic goals. The future, however, remains uncertain, with the potential for both cooperation and conflict depending on the evolving dynamics of these international relationships.