International Relations Expert Pushes for an Autonomous European Plan Following Trump-Putin Meeting Regarding Ukraine Conflict
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The recent US-Russia summit has sparked a call for Europe to develop its own strategy to navigate the complex dynamics between the two superpowers, as per military expert Carlo Masala.
In an interview, Masala expressed concerns about the previous European policy of trying to "get Trump back on track," stating that this approach has not been effective. He believes that Europe needs to free itself from Trump's erratic perspective and develop its own strategy independently of fluctuations in Washington.
Masala's proposed strategy involves a diplomatic approach that combines assertiveness with flattery towards the US, particularly Donald Trump, to maintain unity and influence in the alliance. He suggests European leaders should give Trump the feeling he is a great statesman with a clear vision while simultaneously advancing European self-confidence. This strategy aims at maintaining strong transatlantic ties and preventing disunity within NATO by keeping the US engaged in European defense matters.
The summit, held on equal terms between the US and Russia, was seen as a significant success for German diplomacy, according to Masala, as it brought key players together to discuss the conflict. However, he also characterized the situation as an expression of European helplessness given the unpredictability of Trump and uncertainty about the durability of any agreements reached.
One of the key issues left unresolved is the conflict's resolution strategy, which Masala believes should be developed by Europe. He stated that this stance is catastrophic from a Ukrainian perspective. The question of whether to make the 300 billion euros of frozen Russian assets available to Ukraine remains undecided by Europe.
The summit has also been interpreted as a turnaround from the humiliation experienced during the Obama administration, when Russia was referred to as a regional power. Now, Russia is perceived as a great power again, according to Masala. However, he also emphasized that Putin emerged as the clear winner from the summit.
In summary, Masala’s strategy is rooted in balancing diplomatic tact with firm European interests by:
- Flattering Trump to maintain US involvement,
- Pursuing alignment with the broader European coalition and NATO demands,
- Managing uncertainty through continued dialogue and engagement.
This pragmatic approach is designed to navigate the complex US-Russia-Europe dynamics after the summit rather than advocating for military escalation or confrontation.
- In light of the US-Russia summit, there's a growing need for Europe to formulate a comprehensive policy-and-legislation strategy to deal with war-and-conflicts, as well as general-news events, to safeguard its interests and prevent disunity within NATO.
- The war-and-conflicts resolution strategy should be led by Europe, particularly regarding the question of whether to release the 300 billion euros of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, to assert its own stance, especially in matters relating to policy-and-legislation and politics.
