By Von Hans-Ueli Läppli
Europe without America is like a dog without a master – lost, disoriented and without protection.
Soon, the continent will wake up from Ursula von der Leyen’s magic sleep and Trump will have to be followed, whether Uschi likes it or not. Because Europe cannot and will not exist without the Americans – no matter how pompously von der Leyen and Co. deny reality.
The EU apparatchiks and the media are still licking their wounds after the cold shock of the Vance blow: the blow sits deep. Last week, Europe’s top politicians in Paris, Brussels and Munich had to swallow the harsh tirades of Trump’s envoys. Outrage and defiance are natural reactions, but a luxury Europe cannot afford.
J.D. Vance was not impolite, but brutally honest: a wake-up call for an Europe that has slept too long.
How many warnings to take its own security seriously have been ignored? Lulled by cheap Russian gas and American protection, the EU has dozed off.
Now it’s serious: Trump is throwing Europe the Ukraine in its face, demanding resources as a farewell gift. The measure is full.
But instead of waking up, there is chaos. Macron and Starmer pose in Paris as rescuers, but their activism looks like frantic chicken pecking.
A master plan? Non-existent.
Since 2014, Europe’s security has been wobbling – time enough to act.
Instead: self-inflicted powerlessness.
Militarily, Europe is a dwarf: Germany has ammunition for three days, France has a scrap heap as an aircraft carrier and Britain has only elite troops.
Defending Ukraine alone? A joke. Without the US, deterrence is lacking.
Peace troops without NATO? A death march. The bill comes now: the half-hearted Ukraine aid has failed, the front is breaking and the West is tired.
Trump says clearly: No more alms. The Americans are stepping out – out of frustration or MAGA mania, it doesn’t matter. Europe is left behind, if it doesn’t open its eyes at last.
What to do? The Americans must stay – without their muscles, weapons and NATO, Europe is done for.
Trump is dreaming of a great blow – maybe even with a Nobel Peace Prize – and Brussels must come to its senses: a higher defense budget, stricter control of Ukraine funds, weapon purchases from the US and fat NATO contributions, because Trump insists that member states – many of which are EU countries – increase their defense costs as a bait. For that, a watertight alliance is needed.
Macron, Scholz and Starmer stumble in the fog, but talking is useless – only actions count. Ursula’s daydreams are over, because without the Amis, Europe is a howling street dog in the rain.