“Most allies were against that, pre-invasion … they were very afraid of the consequences,” he said. “I’m proud of what we have done, but it would have been a great advantage if it started earlier. “It maybe could even have prevented the invasion, or at least made it much harder for [Russia] to do what … Read more
Talking with POLITICO on the margins of the recent annual Yalta European Strategy conference, a high-level gathering of Ukrainian and Western leaders and officials, Ischinger, added with a chuckle: “Of course, as many of my friends remind me, the problem, is that if you paint a red line you’ve got to stick to it. You can’t … Read more
The NATO chief said an end to the conflict in Ukraine would be achieved only at the negotiating table. “To end this war, there will have to be again dialogue with Russia at a certain stage. But it has to be based on Ukrainian strength,” he was quoted as saying. Stoltenberg, a former Norwegian prime … Read more
However, “calls for increased military cooperation with NATO and the EU will very likely stir lots of debate within Switzerland,” he added, agreeing with assessments that the report is potentially “explosive” domestically. The experts stop short of suggesting that Switzerland entirely scrap its neutrality and join NATO, but they do urge deeper ties with the … Read more
Vance started as a smooth and adaptable interviewee in 2016, calmly explaining Trump’s appeal for befuddled liberals while promoting his autobiography “Hillbilly Elegy.” Yet he soon MAGA-morphed into a pugnacious Trump surrogate in every forum — on Fox News, off the Senate floor, on the campaign stump. As vice president, he’d likely add Europe to … Read more
The 39-year-old senator is one of the most isolationist members of the Republican Party. He is vehemently opposed to using more funds to help Ukraine and has blasted what he sees as Europe’s over-dependence on the United States when it comes to military investment. In a lengthy interview with POLITICO at the Munich Security Conference … Read more
During the Munich Security Conference in February, Pavel announced the Czechs had figured out a way to purchase 500,000 155 mm and 300,000 122 mm caliber artillery shells for Ukraine from producers outside the EU. The shells can be delivered within weeks if the funding is there, Pavel said. Since then, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, … Read more
The vaccine procurement program is often cited as a possible example for this. During the Covid-19 pandemic, EU member countries ceded sovereignty to the Commission for the purchase of vaccines. The Commission was then given a budget and tasked with procurement, which enabled the EU to secure vaccines quickly, in large quantities and to distribute … Read more
Not so dynamic duo Beyond fear, diplomats and experts pointed to the dynamic between Scholz and Biden as a driving force behind the West’s overriding strategy of incrementalism and escalation management, rather than a focus on strategic outcomes, in dealing with Ukraine. Despite a 16-year age difference, both men came of age politically during the … Read more
But the biggest uncertainty for most Europeans isn’t about Putin — it’s about America. The U.S. Congress’ failure to support Ukraine has left many speechless. And Trump’s warning that he would “encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to an ally who hadn’t “paid up,” still rings loud. While one defense minister asked … Read more
