Leader: Fourteen days that change everything – the US degrades its friends
On Valentine's Day, JD Vance stepped up in the pulpit at the Munich Security Conference. He was worried about Europe, but the threat did not come from outside, from Russia and China, the American vice president said. It came from within, from those who defend European democracy.
By then, Defense Minister Pete Hegseth had already said that Ukraine would now expect to be forced to give up parts of its territory.
And US new leaders and his assistants had just begun.
Volodymyr Zelenskyj had Previously proposed a deal: Ukraine would receive security guarantees in exchange for US access to the country's mineral richness. Donald Trump then turned it into humiliation: Kiev would shed out with huge sums, not get anything in return, was his answer.
When Zelenskyj refused to sign the new agreement, Trump called him « dictator, » Ukraine's president accused of being responsible for Vladimir Putin's invasion. And threatened: Write on, « Otherwise you will soon have no country ».
On Monday, Washington clubbed through a resolution in the UN Security Council together with Moscow and Beijing – over the head of Paris and London – which expressed the Kremlin's view of the war.
The president shows how he treats those who turn to the White House for help: he demands submission in exchange.
And so on Friday – Fourteen days after JD Vance's speech – Zelenskyj arrived at the White House to sign a renegotiated mineral agreement.
The US president and the Vice President gave up on him verbally, so that he would humiliate himself in live broadcast.
Zelenskyj was allowed to leave the meeting. The United States now threatens to freeze all weapons to Ukraine. Russian politicians rejoice.
It is guaranteed to make China's rule as well – because right now the world is raging as we know it. A new, with larger games room for dictators and states with empire ambitions, takes shape.
Donald Trump can Take the United States from NATO, it was warned before he won the election. The transatlantic link that has been the backbone of the free world since the Second World War can be broken. Now he shows that no exit is needed.
Alliances are based on trust. Trump can say that Article 5 will continue to be in the future, but who will believe him?
The president shows how he treats those who turn to the White House for help: he demands submission in exchange.
The United States has been a superpower that defends not only a narrow self -interest – but also universal values. The country has been the guarantor for the self -determination of small states and a world where democracies are safe. That time looks to be over.
The world has suddenly become much more dangerous. Not least our part of it.
Europe must gather – and step forward.
There is no time to lose.
Read more:
Amanda Sokolnicki: The bullies want to see Zelenskyj crawl in the dust – and leave him there
DN's editorial staff: The brawl sets the point for Trump's spectacle – does Europe understand now?
