European NATO
After the election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States, it became clear that America no longer wants to assume the role of leader of the democratic world and refuses to be a guarantor of its security. Under these circumstances, European leaders have already openly discussed the need to create a defense alliance independent of the United States and a new system of European collective security.
In addition, after Russia’s armed invasion of Ukraine, Europe has already begun to realize the challenges and threats it faces due to Russia’s aggressive foreign policy. The need to create a “European NATO” has recently been openly stated by the leader of the German CDU, Friedrich Merz, who today has a real chance to become the next Chancellor of Germany.
The current Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk is also convinced that Europe’s role in international security should be much greater, and he considers it inappropriate that “500 million Europeans are asking 350 million Americans for protection from 140 million Russians.”
The current head of the BND, the German foreign intelligence service, Bruno Kahl, also gives a sober and balanced assessment of the events taking place in Ukraine and the world. He understands very well that as a result of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Germany has found itself in the center of a hybrid war, and now this war is a central issue for Germany. But this issue is especially acute when the United States refuses to provide adequate assistance to Ukraine.
Recently, Bruno Kahl gave an interview to Deutsche Welle, where he expressed hope that European governments would work together to protect Ukraine from Russian armed aggression. He also stated that in the face of the US refusal to provide Ukraine with intelligence information, the EU intelligence services will jointly try to do everything to ensure that Ukraine is not left without “sight” and “hearing.”
In this interview, the head of the German Foreign Intelligence Service is quite frank about the fact that his agency is well aware of all the challenges and threats that Russia poses today. “Putin’s real goal is not only Ukraine, but the construction of a new world order,” says Bruno Kahl. According to his forecasts, in the near future Russia will try to test the effect of NATO Article 5 and take control of Europe. This may happen in 29-30 years, but if the military conflict in Ukraine ends, Russia will be able to use the freed-up resources to launch an armed attack on Western countries much earlier.
“A quick end to the war in Ukraine will allow the Russians to use their own forces and energy to attack the West,” Bruno Kahl concludes. It was this phrase, which was taken out of context, that some media outlets began to interpret as the head of German foreign intelligence advocating for the continuation of the war in Ukraine. However, this is not the case. Bruno Kahl is only predicting possible developments here, and a full analysis of his interview with Deutsche Welle leads to the conclusion that in the Russian-Ukrainian armed confrontation, the head of the German Foreign Intelligence Service is entirely on the side of Ukraine.
Friedrich Merz, a candidate for the post of Chancellor of Germany, has also taken an openly pro-Ukrainian position, having repeatedly emphasized the need to create a collective security system in Europe independent of the United States. In this regard, he has quite transparently hinted that if elected to the post of Chancellor of Germany, he wants to significantly expand the powers of the German intelligence services. It should be noted that in the context of global socio-political instability and uncertainty, this decision is quite rational and balanced.
Russia’s armed invasion of Ukraine and its attempts to expand its influence in the West are pushing EU countries to unite. “We are all in the same boat when it comes to the threat from the East,” Bruno Kahl concludes and emphasizes that in order to effectively counteract the current challenges and threats emanating from the East, all countries need to join forces.
And when it comes to creating a new system of collective security in Europe, Ukraine can play a key role.
If the EU countries help protect Ukraine from Russian armed aggression, it means that there will never again be missiles with nuclear warheads aimed at Brussels on its territory. In addition, Ukraine’s full integration into the European structures will significantly strengthen their military and political potential, which will once again enable Europe to play a significant role in international politics, economy and global security.
Oleh Bereziuk,
Institute of Global Policy
