Perfidious America

 

 

 

Well, what can we say about the way that Ukrainian President Vlodimir Zelensky was treated at his recent meeting at the White House by Donald Trump and his catamite Vice-President J D Vance?

My personal opinion, shared by many, is the Trump and Vance were rude, condescending, arrogant, and demonstrated a total mis-appreciation of Zelensky’s and Ukraine’s current circumstances, and that’s just off the top of my head having witnessed the coverage from the White House.

I’m actually glad that Zelensky has not given in to the Trump bullying and has declined to sign up to any minerals agreement. Quite bloody right! Sovereignty isn’t a commercial asset to be traded on the world markets, and shame on America and its President for thinking it is!

My perception is that Trump has got it badly wrong and totally mis-read the room. Seldom have I experienced the outpouring of disgust on my various social media timelines as I have in the wake of this awful debacle which emanated from the Oval Office briefing. Trump and Vance came cross as bullies and did their cause, whatever that may be, no favours whatsoever.

So what happens now? Well, the backlash will reverberate for a time and America will be once again in the global spotlight, and for all the wrong reasons. We can only hope that Europe will be able to pick up the torch so casually abandoned by Trump and company, but I’m not holding my breath. History tells us that European states presenting united front is a rarity, and when it happens it tends not to last very long.

This time could be different though. Such is the international disgust at America’s treatment of Zelensky that something may well come of it.

What is clear to everyone is that Trump’s America can no longer be regarded as a reliable ally as far as Europe is concerned. His transactional approach to international politics and his pathological fascination with “doing a deal” do not make for comfortable bed partners.

Europe now needs to look to itself and let America get on with what is most important to it. But alliances work both ways; if America eschews Europe then best not come back invoking Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty as it did in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre if it ever, Heaven forfend, happens again; NATO allies may choose not to become involved the next time.

As for Zelensky and Ukraine, there is no option but to soldier on, USA onside or not. Despite all the rhetoric from Moscow and now Washington DC, Ukraine is not losing the war; it is Russia that is failing to win it, and very soon Putin’s troops and economy will be exhausted. Kyiv just has to hang on for a bit longer.

I never thought I would live to see the day when a venal, self-interested, and unreliable USA would prove to be such a false friend in times of trouble. But I have seen it now.

America, what have you done?

 

Lt Col Stuart Crawford is a defence analyst and former army officer. Sign up for his podcasts and newsletters at www.DefenceReview.uk

 

 

Lt Col Stuart Crawford’s latest book Tank Commander (Hardback) is available now

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