-OpEd-
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron was right to invite the leaders of the main European countries to Paris the day after the Munich conference that saw the dissolution of the transatlantic link and the faltering of Ukraine’s future. Even if it’s too early to know what decisions will be taken to defend Ukraine from the Russian invasion, at least our honor is intact.
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Faced with a United States that is (legitimately) refocusing on what it considers to be its strategic interests, and which (ideologically) is choosing a return to the “age of empires,” Europe must decide on its future and take this opportunity to rebuild itself.
A fractured bloc
The masks have fallen. The French leader’s choice not to invite all European countries is legitimate because it is increasingly difficult to talk about “Europe” as a whole.
The UK reminds us that this ally has never failed us in the great moments of history.
First, because Europe is still not considered a representative democratic entity by the people who are a part of it. Second, because several member states have betrayed the bloc. The fact that Viktor Orbán’s Hungary regrets not having been invited by “frustrated, pro-war and anti-Trump European leaders” illustrates the fracture that now divides Europe.
The fact that the UK not only accepted France’s invitation but was the first to say it was ready to send troops to the borders of Ukraine reminds us that this ally has never failed us in the great moments of history.
The caution expressed by Germany — which considers discussions on the possible sending of troops “highly inappropriate” — could be explained by the proximity of the country’s legislative elections.
What is certain is that Europe has its back against the wall — Russian President Vladimir Putin’s wall. Any admission of weakness will only be a step backward to better crash into it. It doesn’t matter whether we call it Europe of defense, the European core or European political community, we need to rebuild Europe. Our honor and our future are at stake.
