Trump, Rubio and Hegseth are fumbling Ukraine – Europe needs to stop making the same mistake
by https://euobserver.com/author/edward-lucas/ · EUobserverUS secretary of state Marco Rubio (l) with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte in January. How can Rubio not realise that the unreliability of Starlink puts a question-mark over all US weapons systems? Photo: Nato
Unlock article and share
By Edward Lucas,
London
,
It is hard for European allies to know which is worse, hearing their sacrifice in the US-led war in Afghanistan mocked by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, seeing his State Department counterpart Marco Rubio dissembling about the interruption to Starlink service in Ukraine, or watching the commander-in-chief of the free world blithely end sanctions on Russia.
One option is to sit tight and hope that next month’s mid-terms will bring deliverance.
Mid-term blues?
It is possible, perhaps, that a huge political defeat for Donald Trump will change American foreign policy, though those who sincerely hanker for the eras of Joe Biden and Barack Obama may need to adjust their rose-tinted filters.
More likely is that constitutional tussles will make the US even more distracted and unpredictable. Who really believes that a midnight phone call alerting the president to a surprise Russian incursion into Nato territory will gain a firmer response if the Democrats control Congress?
It is also tempting simply to wallow in outrage.
To read this story, log in or subscribe
Enjoy access to all articles and 25 years of archives, comment and gift articles. Become a subscriber for as low as €1,75 per week.
Read without limits
Already a subscriber? Login
Unlock article and share
Latest from EU and the World
Russia is losing its grip on Kaliningrad, despite using the exclave for anti-Nato scare stories
Ceuta has become a laboratory for the degradation and dehumanisation of migrants
Latest from Russia
How Slovakia’s Fico became Putin’s top ally inside the EU
Zelensky urges unity, more money for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia ahead of key summit with EU leaders
Latest from Ukraine
US-Russia ‘diesel deal’ could open door to wider sanctions relief, Zelensky warns as EU vows to keep supporting Ukraine
Russian air force suffers worst day since Operation Spiderweb, as Ukraine destroys Su-34 strike aircraft on the ground (Ukraine Battlefield update, Day 1,695)
Latest from US
EU bets on diplomacy, not blocking statute, to protect ICC from Trump sanctions
Listen: Could the EU shield the ICC from US sanctions?
Latest from Opinion
Europe’s new Franco-German auto pact will protect combustion engines, not European jobs
My mixed emotions on the French riots: Yes, fuck Louis Vuitton, but let’s be strategic
US secretary of state Marco Rubio (l) with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte in January. How can Rubio not realise that the unreliability of Starlink puts a question-mark over all US weapons systems? Photo: Nato
Topics
- EU and the World+ Follow topic by email
- Russia+ Follow topic by email
- Ukraine+ Follow topic by email
- US+ Follow topic by email
Author Bio
Edward Lucas is a former senior editor at The Economist, founder and director of the Baltic International Security Centre think-tank, and a regular writer on defence, security and espionage for The Times and Foreign Policy. He is the author of The New Cold War (2008) and Deception (2011).
+ Follow author by email