The art of vassalisation: How Russia’s war on Ukraine has transformed transatlantic relations
ecfr.eu
Europeans’ response to Russia’s war on Ukraine confirms their profound dependence on the US – an unwise position given the security challenge in Europe and coming geopolitical competition with China.

The report is absolutely scathing. Some choice quotes:

But when the next crisis came, both the US and the governments of Europe fell back on old models of alliance leadership. Europe, as EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell loudly lamented prior to Russia’s invasion, is not really at the table when it comes to dealing with the Russia-Ukraine crisis. It has instead embarked on a process of vassalisation.

But “alone” had a very specific meaning for Scholz. He was unwilling to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine unless the US also sent its own main battle tank, the M1 Abrams. It was not enough that other partners would send tanks or that the US might send other weapons. Like a scared child in a room full of strangers, Germany felt alone if Uncle Sam was not holding its hand.

Europeans’ lack of agency in the Russia-Ukraine crisis stems from this growing power imbalance in the Western alliance. Under the Biden administration, the US has become ever more willing to exercise this growing influence.

  • redtea@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
    215·
    2 years ago

    It was a bit late by then. Germany lost it’s sovereignty right about the time the US turned up in Berlin to stop the Soviets from advancing any further.

    If Germany really had sovereignty, would it really have done so little after it’s ‘allies’ blew up Nordstream 2, causing German deindustrialisation and increasing German consumer and industrial energy insecurity?

    • CAPSLOCKFTWEnglish
      37·
      2 years ago

      It was a bit late by then. Germany lost it’s sovereignty right about the time the US turned up in Berlin to stop the Soviets from advancing any further.

      When exactly did the US turned up in Berlin? They didn’t. Western and soviet forces met at the river Elbe

      Furthermore with the 4+2 treaty Germany got sovereignty officially, with the opposition to the illegal invasion of Iraq 2003 Germany went fully sovereign.

      If Germany really had sovereignty, would it really have done so little after it’s ‘allies’ blew up Nordstream 2, causing German deindustrialisation and increasing German consumer and industrial energy insecurity?

      Who blew up Nordstream 2?

      • redtea@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
        164·
        2 years ago

        When exactly did the US turned up in Berlin? They didn’t. Western and soviet forces met at the river Elbe

        Semantics. It’s like when people say ‘Washington’ even if the sharp part of the story is happening on the other side of the world.

        Furthermore with the 4+2 treaty Germany got sovereignty officially, with the opposition to the illegal invasion of Iraq 2003 Germany went fully sovereign.

        And yet, here we are, with German industry falling apart because the US dictated, ‘Sanction Russia’, and all the vassals fell in line. Then they supplemented the now-re-routed-but-still-Russian fossils with US supplies. The German ruling class sacrificed the German people for US interests in the same way as did (every) other vassal state(s).

        Who blew up Nordstream 2?

        Greatest mystery of our time.

        • CAPSLOCKFTWEnglish
          58·
          2 years ago

          Germany industry does fine considering the circumstances. “Falling apart” is greatly exaggerated.

          Not letting Putin get Eastern Ukraine for free is in interest of german people. No sacrifice. Why would this be US interests? You’re talking propaganda