Europeans between pragmatism and firmness | EUROtoday
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L’Donald Trump’s election provoked a coordinated response from European leaders assembly in Budapest for the European Political Community. The message is evident: Europe needs to protect the transatlantic alliance whereas accelerating its strategic autonomy. “I want to congratulate President Trump again on his clear victory,” mentioned Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, setting the tone of a practical strategy. “We are working with the new Trump administration constructively and looking at what is in front of us,” she added, whereas emphasizing: “The future of Europe is in our hands. »
Mark Rutte, the new Secretary General of NATO, adopted a similar position, recalling having “worked very well with Donald Trump for four years”. He nonetheless highlights the brand new challenges: “What we are seeing more and more is that North Korea, Iran, China and, of course, Russia are working together” towards Ukraine.
Roberta Metsola: “No longer just react”
Roberta Metsola, the president of Parliament, adopts a barely firmer tone. “We should move away from the “America elects and we react” sample,” she says, as a message to all European leaders. Referring to Donald Tusk, the Polish Prime Minister, she recollects his system in keeping with which “the time of geopolitical externalization is over”. A place that resonates with many European leaders.
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, was invited to provide a speech in the course of the first spherical tables. His extra normal remarks echo the brand new geopolitical scenario within the spirit of Roberta Metsola’s declarations. He believes that Europeans should now “assume” their position as “independent power” and now not “delegate” their geopolitics, their progress mannequin or their innovation to different actors. He calls on Europeans to now not be “herbivores” within the face of “carnivores who seek to devour them”.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo sums up the final feeling by emphasizing that “Europe has been preparing for years to stand on its own feet, to be open to the rest of the world, but not to be dependent on it.” A message echoed by Charles Michel, the President of the European Council: “We want to deepen our ties with the United States, but we also want to be more masters of our destiny. On certain subjects, there will be convergence; on others there might be different views and, if so, we will have to discuss, negotiate and find the best possible compromise. »
Balance between pragmatism and firmness
“We cannot approach this transatlantic partnership from a position of weakness,” considers, for his half, the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Europe can’t change the world, however it may well definitely change itself to face a altering world. » Croatian Andrej Plenkovic referred to as for “respecting the results of the American elections and establishing cooperation with the future administration”, professing, in reality, a practical strategy.
The Austrian Karl Nehammer is fearful a few doable deterioration of the transatlantic relationship for his nation. “For Austria, this is a particularly important topic, as the United States is our second most important trading partner,” he emphasizes. The essential objective should be to forestall a commerce battle. A commerce battle is within the curiosity of neither the European Union nor the United States. »
The risk of a discount in American help for Ukraine worries, however European leaders are dedicated to reassuring kyiv. “More than half of the military support for Ukraine already comes from European countries,” recollects Dane Mette Frederiksen, who nonetheless hopes to “continue to work closely with the Americans”. “No decision regarding Ukraine should be made without Ukraine,” warned Roberta Metsola. If we let go of Ukraine, what message would we ship, not solely to the world, however particularly to Putin? »
Zelensky guidelines out any concessions to Russia
President Zelensky, the primary involved, addressed all of the European leaders gathered throughout this CPE. “Yesterday I spoke with President Trump, as many of you did. It was a good, productive conversation, he believes. Of course, we cannot yet know what his actions will be. But we hope that America will become stronger. This is the kind of America that Europe needs. And a strong Europe is what America needs. »ALSO READ Under Trump II, five geopolitical earthquakes to be expected
Conciliatory remarks towards Trump, but for the Ukrainian president, there is no question of “concessions” in the direction of Putin’s Russia. “This is unacceptable for Ukraine and suicidal for all of Europe. And what would be next? Should Europe curry favor with Kim Jong-un in the hope that he will also leave Europe in peace? No strong leader, who helped build a united, strong and peaceful Europe, can imagine doing this. »
Ukraine: a red line for Europeans
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda hopes for “a common and very constructive language between President Zelensky and President Trump”, he emphasizes: “Ukraine deserves our help, whether or not we’re the United States or Europe, as a result of they have been brutally attacked by an aggressor nation. »
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Leaders unanimously consider the necessity to improve protection spending. Lithuania is even aiming for “3.5%, then 4% of GDP”, in keeping with Gitanas Nauseda. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who shares a 1,340-kilometer-long border along with his Russian neighbor, is urging all Europeans to “do more and quickly for our own defense.” A discordant voice was nonetheless heard. It isn’t any shock that Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, a pro-Russian, referred to as to “start talking about a ceasefire” in Ukraine.
The German disaster, a brand new problem for Europe
The implosion of the coalition in Berlin, with the dismissal of liberal Christian Lindner on Wednesday night, additionally worries European leaders. The chancellor, Olaf Scholz, will ask the query of confidence within the Bundestag on January 15, which requires early legislative elections in March 2025. “Without a strong Germany, we cannot have a strong Europe,” underlined President Metsola, a sense shared by a number of leaders. Andrej Plenkovic recalled that “Germany is a strong democracy and a strong economy”, displaying confidence in its capability to beat the present disaster.
https://www.lepoint.fr/monde/trump-a-l-horizon-les-europeens-entre-pragmatisme-et-fermete-07-11-2024-2574702_24.php