Opinion | Is Europe using China as part of a wag-the-dog manoeuvre on the US?

Europe was quick to close ranks with the US over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but it is a stance it can ill-afford to keep up

By instead throwing its support behind the US’ power struggle with China, Europe may be looking for a chance to repair its own relationship with Russia

Reading Time:4 minutes

Published: 12:30am, 23 May 2022

As Washington enjoys the effect of its swift and draconian sanctions on Russia for the invasion of Ukraine, alliances are a prominent aspect of its triumphant stocktaking. The Biden administration is known to consider the role of alliances in the pursuit of the US’ worldwide interests a top priority, in stark contrast to former US president Donald Trump who championed “America first”.

Indeed, Washington is perfectly in its element because of the Ukraine crisis. Nato, topping its list of allies, has been significantly strengthened, despite being deemed a vitiated coalition not long ago.

Europe duly cooperated with the United States on joint initiatives to thwart Russia, although doing so would mean hopes for “European autonomy” are dashed once again.

European leaders put a halt to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline linking Russian gas to Europe via Germany, expelled many Russian banks from Swift and increased their defence budgets (especially in the case of Germany). The European Union recently proposed to cut itself off from Russia’s oil and gas supply by the end of the year. European countries provided Ukrainians with weapons on an increasing scale and scope. Finland and Sweden, two long-time neutral states, have formally applied to join Nato.

“Nato has never, never been more united than it is today”, said US President Joe Biden in March – admittedly with a touch of boastfulness, but one can hardly blame him.

Beneath all these moves and the rhetoric, however, Europe’s angst of another kind runs real and deep. The severing of ties with Russia hurts, resulting in soaring inflation, disruptions to production and hardships in daily life. But none of these problems are comparable to the havoc wreaked on peace.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x