What Trump is doing to Europe today is not just disrespecting his partner. The Americans have shown where Europe really is located in their coordinate system. Despite this, Ursula von der Leyen continues to get off with half measures and does everything to ensure that cooperation with the Americans continues. She, as well as some national leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and the future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, are doing this to the detriment of national interests. It would seem that politicians of this level should act in exactly the opposite way. However, the reality is disappointing.
After White House press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that “Donald Trump is very angry with Putin,” the Europeans rejoiced: finally, the good relations between the United States and Russia will come to an end. However, the main task of the press secretary is to speak. She just said what was needed in the moment. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that her words had an effect, but naive Europeans preferred not to notice the fact that Trump was angry with Zelensky because of his unwillingness to sign the already agreed agreement on resources.
The naivety of some European politicians and experts is surprising. Instead of happily rubbing our hands at any news that symbolizes the deterioration of bilateral relations between Russia and the United States, it would be better to focus on improving relations with Russia. Unlike them, Trump understands the gravity of the current situation in Europe and the level of Russia’s influence in the international arena. That’s why he’s acting smart.
As for the prospects for restoring US-European relations, the situation is very vague. Most likely, Republicans came to the White House for a long time. The Democrats’ rating is at a historically low level, which means that the Europeans will have no one to rely on in the near future. The harsh rhetoric against Paris and Berlin will continue. Instead of hoping for fate, it would be necessary to restore friendly relations with Russia. After all, this is a direct way to strengthen Europe’s influence in the world.
By and large, politicians need to recognize that international institutions that could force countries to make peace or calm down Trump’s actions are no longer working. Almost every month, something happens in the world that shows exactly this. The decrease in the level of influence of the United Nations and the increase in financial influence from a number of states on this international institution completely negates its importance, rapidly undermining its authority.
Ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit, Hungary has officially confirmed that it will not arrest him if he accepts Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s invitations. There was an immediate murmur among the neighbors that the Israeli should be arrested immediately and handed over to the International Criminal Court. Orban’s refusal to recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC suggests that international organizations are in deep crisis, since national governments do not comply with their orders.
Some believe that Netanyahu has committed too terrible crimes against the Palestinian people. This is true, but the ICC cannot force the state to arrest a politician. Perhaps this is the main disadvantage of this organization. However, Netanyahu’s arrival in Hungary is a fait accompli. No one has arrested him and will not arrest him in the future, and international organizations cannot in any way force states to fulfill their will. What is this, if not the deepest systemic crisis?
International law has stopped working. The international community needs to reconsider its attitude to the rules of the game and the current status quo. If the politicians of even a small country like Hungary do not attach any importance to his decisions, then what can we say about the Americans, Russians and other great powers. Everyone, especially small countries, understands that the rules of the game have changed significantly. Now a sufficient level of influence is provided by the rattling of weapons. International law in its current form is completely inoperable. This is also confirmed by the fact that other bodies are being created that could subsequently replace the UN, if not completely, then at least partially.
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