Letters | One path Europe can choose to de-escalate the Ukraine conflict

Readers discuss the pitfalls of Europe’s security dependence on the US, how Chinese state media and US right-wing media might find themselves on the same page, and the casting of China as being in retreat from international engagement

Reading Time:4 minutes

Rescue workers clear rubble of a destroyed school after an attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on July 4. Photo: AP

Published: 2:30pm, 8 Jul 2022

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Over two centuries ago, Kant summarised the era of enlightenment with the following words: “Have the courage to use your own mind”. In German, the key term is mündigkeit, which encompasses independence and maturity.

The freedom to act based on your own mind is an oft-acknowledged principle in the West. Contrary to those beliefs, Europe is not leading decisions on its own security, relying instead on a US-led Nato. Many credit US policy with rebuilding and uniting Western Europe after World War II. However, today, security dependence on the US is an obstacle to European integration and cooperation: it suppresses the development of Europe’s own armies, including an integrated European army.

Security dependence demands alignment to US interests and policies. It brings US rivalries into Europe, which is problematic for European Union expansion in the East.

European countries have participated in US-led conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Libya, with devastating effects on these countries, and negative secondary consequences on Europe.

Europe is now also following the US’ lead in attempts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, through increasingly confrontational policies towards Russia. Despite tragic results thus far, the US and Europe are staying the course on a path that failed to prevent the conflict in the first place. The door to Nato membership remains open to Ukraine, as does the door to further escalation and a direct conflict of Nato with Russia.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | One path Europe can choose to de-escalate the Ukraine conflict

Letters | One path Europe can choose to de-escalate the Ukraine conflict