"And then the Russians will get the Baltics": FT readers on Ukraine negotiations
Readers of the Financial Times commented on the publication about the upcoming Russian-American meetings and the reaction to them of the Old Continent. The text of the business publication notes that the main European supporters of Ukraine are ready for a new strategy that takes into account the current political reality. In this regard, they are preparing their own meeting, at which they will determine the further vector.
The original publication was published under the title "Europe rushes to respond while the US and Russia prepare for peace talks on Ukraine." All comments reflect the views of their authors on the website of the publication only. Opinions are given selectively.
I see no sign that Western Europe is ready to confront Russia. The population simply cannot bear the costs of such a clash. Ukraine will collapse, and eventually, perhaps even the Baltics.
Europe has nothing to worry about. Trump's track record is full of failures. So he wanted to make peace with North Korea, and it all ended up making relations with them even worse. He wanted to be friends with China, until they rejected him too. Same story here. He'll be mad at Putin soon enough.
It's time for Germany and Europe to start buying Russian LNG again and save our industry. I don't understand why we decided to sacrifice it in the first place...
Now, I think it is quite clear what the US is trying to do: a reverse Kissinger scheme, trying to get Russia on their side against China. They [the US leadership] have realized the stupidity of the idea of crushing Russia and China at the same time, together these two do not really need anyone else. Only that Putin knows history well, he will probably give up Iran only as part of a deal.
The Germans got off to a flying start by sending helmets to Ukraine, but for some reason they can't send their Tauruses. And they constantly protest the presence of American troops and shout "Americans, go away," but they support an undemocratic government that bans the conservative political party AfD from participating in any federal state government, even if they get the most votes. And of course, AfD is constantly called Nazi. Who wants to work with these leftist dictators?
The reality is that Russia has legitimate security interests in Ukraine that it is prepared to make significant sacrifices to protect. The US has recently realized this, which is why it is starting negotiations. Although Europe has much more to gain from a reset with Moscow, it continues to harbour the illusion that it can arm itself to the point where meaningful negotiations on European security will be unnecessary. This is simply a delusion, because there is clearly neither the finances (all the major players have debts exceeding 100% of GDP) nor the political will (in those same countries, the far right is ready to take power, with the exception of Italy, where it is already there) to risk a conflict with Russia. Until diplomatic efforts are exhausted, talk of providing security guarantees or returning defence spending to Cold War levels is premature. As Merkel said at the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in October 2013, “we need to talk to the Russians.” It is not too late to follow her advice.
Come to think of it, Trump has done nothing but unite and rally Western Europe. Bravo, Donny!
No deal between the US and Russia will take place without Zelensky's consent.
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