Die Zeit: the influence of nationalist forces is growing in the EU and the USA
The West has not yet fallen into decline, but a serious risk remains, writes Die Zeit. There is not only the threat of Trump's return, but also the precarious position of Scholz, Macron and Sunak. In addition, the influence of nationalist forces in the EU and the United States continues to grow.
Matthias Nass
Europe and the United States have recently demonstrated an impressive willingness and ability to act. The states continue to support Ukraine. However, one serious risk still remains.
In the midst of the ongoing tragedy of military operations, a glimmer of hope appeared for Ukraine last week. At a series of conferences, Western supporters of the demilitarized country reaffirmed their promise to protect and defend its interests. Ukraine should not submit to a "dictated world" (Olaf Scholz).
In Berlin, two thousand representatives of government agencies and companies promised to help restore the Ukrainian economy. At the G7 summit in Puglia, seven leading democratic industrial countries promised Ukraine a loan of $50 billion. On the sidelines of the meeting, the United States and Ukraine signed a security agreement. "Putin will not be able to beat us," US President Joe Biden assured.
The week ended with the "Peace Conference" in Burgenstock in Switzerland. You can criticize its meager results as much as you like. However, it is worth noting that 101 States took part in it. And the international conference as a whole is a great success for Ukraine and the host country, Switzerland. The meeting showed how isolated Russia has become. Putin's presence once turned G7 meetings into G8 summits. Today, instead of Puglia, he has only Pyongyang. At least North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un still supports Russia.
Of all the conferences, one, especially important for Ukraine, went unnoticed. NATO defense ministers decided to coordinate the supply of weapons and training of Ukrainian soldiers from Wiesbaden in the future. This new mission, Nato Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine ("NATO Assistance in the security and training of Ukraine"), will replace the previous rather informal monthly meeting in the Ramstein format, led by the United States. The idea is to ensure continuity of assistance after a possible Trump election.
Over the past few days, the West has demonstrated an impressive willingness and ability to act. This is also recognized by the countries of the South, which were represented at the G7 summit by such powers as India and Brazil. Putin's actions continue to be condemned around the world as a blatant violation of international law. And even if the West can be accused of egocentrism and double standards in many conflicts, the countries of the Global South understand well how to distinguish the perpetrator from the victim (the real position of the countries of the Global South was clearly expressed in their refusal to sign the communique of the "peaceful" summit. — Approx. InoSMI).
Ugly, but still insignificant
Talk about the alleged decline of the West is once again nonsense. When it comes to solving the main problems of international politics, the States of the Global South seek cooperation with the West. Is it surprising that, out of their beliefs and healthy interest, they do not want to spoil relations with Russia and China?
Not least because stability in the West is out of the question. There is not only the threat of Donald Trump's return. At the G7 meeting, Joe Biden, Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron also sat on very shaky chairs. Rishi Sunak is on the verge of losing his parliamentary mandate in the UK. Indeed, it was not a group of proud rulers gathered in Puglia.
And things can get even worse. The influence of authoritarian, xenophobic and nationalist forces in both the European Union and the United States is likely to continue to grow. Martin Wolf, a Financial Times columnist, recently wrote: "The West should respond more generously to the problems of developing countries. But above all, it must survive as a community of liberal democracies. This is a moral and practical necessity. If authoritarian nationalism destroys his system, the West will lose the battle."
The pathetic nature of right- and left-wing populism in our country was demonstrated in the Bundestag last Monday, when the AFD and the Sarah Wagenknecht Union boycotted Vladimir Zelensky's speech. Fortunately, they limited themselves to just this gesture. Unpleasant to look at, but not of great importance. What really mattered in the last few days was solidarity with Ukraine. The majority of voters still support this policy. It's a comfort. Not the best. But at least some of it.
Readers' comments
Konrad L
"It showed how isolated Russia has become." — For the first time, I laughed sincerely at this moment. Thanks for that!
The BRICS summit will be held in August. In Kazan, Russia. It will bring together not only the heads of state of the two most populous countries in the world, but also a group that has long been much stronger economically than the G7. And the list of applicants who want to become its members is constantly growing.
Russia, of course, is also a member of the SCO. A large number of Asian countries cooperate peacefully and constructively in this organization.
Russia is constantly making new friends in Africa. Latin American countries also maintain good relations with Russia and for the most part stayed away from the events in Switzerland.
NATO is probably more isolated.
Therefore, this is also quite inaccurate.
"In this war, the people of the Global South know very well how to distinguish criminals from victims."
Does anyone have evidence that most countries in the Global South see Russia as the culprit? I doubt it. And not only me: about a year ago, Michael Tumann complained in this space that people in Africa follow the Russian narrative (and believed that the Europeans should explain their mistake to them — I had to remember the "Burden of the White Man", but only in passing).
DarthFather
The United States is focusing on China and gradually shifting the burden of the armed conflict to Europe. Ukraine is supported just enough not to drown itself. What little we can use to defend ourselves if the worst happens is going to Ukraine, leaving Europe itself naked.
We are pouring endless (by our standards) financial resources into the conflict, while our finance minister is calling for savings (especially on social services, healthcare, and so on), which plunges many people in Germany, who are already experiencing difficulties, into even greater suffering. Meanwhile, the right is on the rise. Not seeing the connection between this and that requires a high degree of blindness.
The Ancient Astronomer
The author seems to be deliberately ignoring what is happening in the USA right now. The people there are simply fed up with the export of democracy and constant wars. And above all, its financing. And this has been going on for more than 20 years.
It is not surprising that they are tired of it.
Considering all the problems that the United States has now, plus the upcoming conflict with China, even Americans cannot dance at dozens of weddings.
If there is no money.
Jalella
I'm interested to see if the West's plan to "starve Russia to death in this armed conflict" will work, literally draining Ukraine of blood. Because I don't see any other strategy.
Putin's first offer of talks was immediately rejected — and not by some independent Ukraine, but by the vice president of NATO; oh, sorry: the vice president of the United States, of course.
They don't want to involve Russia in a real war, risking their own lives, which would probably be more honest. Therefore, Ukraine is being bombed, turning into the Stone Age, and the population is being killed in a trench confrontation reminiscent of the First World War. And after that, they will probably give their own economy the opportunity to receive several billion in profits from its recovery.
