‘Trump is abandoning Ukraine and wants a weaker EU’: Dominique de Villepin on Europe’s moment of truth | Martin Gelin

DOminique de Villepin referred his name to An unforgettable speech To the United Nations Security Council in February 2003, before the US -led Iraq invasion. De Philippine, then French Foreign Minister, indicated that France’s intention to transportation United Nations Resolution War mandateForced the United States and the United Kingdom to act unilaterally. He warned that Washington’s strategy would lead to chaos in the Middle East and undermine international institutions. The Prophet’s call was met with applause, a rare event in the Security Council Hall. This led to a job diplomat as a character in the 2004 David Heer play to combat war, Things talk.

Now, a veteran state, who warned of the dangers of excessive dependence on the United States on the United States many years before becoming a major opinion in Paris or Berlin, has returned with advice on how to respond to the most dangerous collapse in Europe’s relationship with the United States 80 years ago.

like Donald Trump The oldest American allies quickly foreshadow the danger, and European leaders are defending to adapt to the new chaotic world order. But De Philippine believes that there is also an opportunity for Europe to unite behind liberal democracy and fill the void left by the Trump administration. It is convinced that there is an urgent need for European independence in defense, national security and technology.

It is a warning reflection in Europe that, during the past month, Paris was strengthening with visiting diplomats, prime minister and heads of state. On Monday, Emmanuel Macron became the first European leader welcomed at the White House since Trump returned to power. But Macron also has a contract World leaders to discuss the possible new alliances of countries are ready to interfere in activating the consequences of Trump’s reorganization on Ukraine and his clear willingness to abandon liberal democracy.

Trump’s foreign policy cannot be predicted, but it seems now Besides Russia on Ukraine. Even when Macron at the White House was trying to save the Atlantic relations, the United States Voice with Russia Against UN resolution condemns Vladimir Putin’s war. North Korea and Belarus were among a handful of other countries that followed the United States.

“We now have three superpower forces: RussiaChina and the United States say. “America is no longer considered an ally of Europe.” But he warns that the United States will not flourish in this troubled world that creates it, “because it will be completely isolated.”

Trump’s authoritarian role is seen as a crisis and an opportunity for Europe to unite behind a new common purpose. “The result of this European awakening of democracy will be. We will fight for liberal democracy more than ever. Because the question now is really: sovereignty or submission.”

European sovereignty seems logical, but how do we get there? De villepin proposes a three -point plan for a more firm and independent continent. The first step is to develop a joint defensive agreement in Europe, with a significant increase in the European defense industry. “We urgently need to develop our own systems, not just buying from the United States.” The second is to increase investment in innovation and technology, as shown in Druze report Last year, which warned of a “painful decrease” for Europe in the absence of an annual spending of 800 billion euros. The third step is to enhance French -British cooperation on defense, intelligence, nuclear issues and Ukraine, where De Philippine wants to see Clear safety guarantees in the event of a treaty and a ceasefire.

He says, “We have to take our destiny in our hands.” “Stop believing in delusions. Trump gives up Ukraine and [Elon] Musk supports extremist movements in Europe because they want the weakest European Union. They understand that Europe is now the main obstacle to their vision. This, of course, is unacceptable. “

Does the European Ukraine – including the French – support the shoes on the ground to protect from the future Russian attack? “As part of the peacekeeping plan agreed by the international community, I would like to support a French contribution.”

Once again in 2003, the UN Emotional DE Villepin speech was delivered at a similar low point in the Atlantic relations, with the rename American American conservatives.Freedom PotatoesWhile the right -wing news organizations described France and other European countries that oppose the invasion of Iraq.The axis of Ibn Arms“.

His challenge is still against George W. Bush, who was based on the painful history of the war on the Atlantic coalition, which is sharply related in 2025. “This message comes to you today from an ancient country, FranceHe told the Security Council in 2003: “From an ancient continent like Lee, Europe, which has known wars, occupation and barbarism.” However, he never stopped standing in the face of history and before humanity. Among the believers of its values, he wants firmly to act with all members of the international community. “

Rumors about De Villepin Run for the élysée were in 2027 to take place in the French media. It remains shy about a presidential ambition. However, what is clear is that he believes that the next wave of national elections throughout Europe will be determined as much as national security and foreign affairs as much as local issues. “National security will be the most important issue for voters, because it is a matter of freedom or values, whether we believe in sovereignty or submission.”

This seems to be the logical basis behind his return to public life – not only as a possible presidential candidate in France, but as an unofficial spokesperson for what he calls “European sovereignty”. Use the phrase six times during our conversation for 90 minutes. “With my background, my opposition to the Iraq war and all my experience in dealing with geopolitical crises, I felt that there were missing voices talking about defending Europe and defending our values, so it was my duty to speak.”

De villepin belongs to a long tradition of French politicians skeptical of the global superiority of America, and now feels justified. But he does not pay America’s ideological anti -enemy. He has close relations with the United States, He studied there, confirms his respect for the soft power of America, its universities, and its culture in innovation. “They abandon this ridiculous idea of ​​full power. They ignore history. You cannot win the fire on your own.”

He expected the mass protests against Trump throughout the United States as soon as his policies’ failures would be clear. It is expected, like most economists, that commercial definitions will lead to an explosion of inflation and hairstyles, and that Trump’s “reckless” foreign policy will make the country much weaker. This is always the problem of nationalists and people. What I call the principle of reality. “

The problem, as I suggest, is that the far right is waging the war on reality, and it seems that it wins – at least in the United States. In the presidential elections last year, Trump won the popular vote with a small margin of 1.5 percentage points in the country, but he won an average rate 54 points in “Desert News”As a few dangerous local media are available, according to a study from the University of North Western.

De villepin believes this is an urgent invitation to build the European technology industry and encourage independence from American platforms. “Elon Musk wants full marketing in Europe and the European media. Therefore, this is a matter of our basic freedoms, and our freedom to think about what we want to think about. We need to build our own tools, whether it is llms [large language models]Social platforms or cloud technology. We have to understand that this is an emergency. “

Before Germany’s general elections on February 23, Musk made a heavy campaign for the far -right AFD, but to a lesser extent than he was hoping. The party was voting approximately 20 % when the musk embraced it and ended up 20.8 % of voting. De Philippine does not believe that musk enters the extreme right will be particularly successful in France, too. ))

Jordan Bardela, the young president of the National Mari Party, to Pan Luban, I canceled a trip To a right -wing conference in the United States after Steve Bannon made a former Trump assistant, what seemed to be a Nazi greeting at this event.

De Philippine predicts that Le Pen will try to maintain some distance between her and the Maga Trump, but he insists that they are ideological twins. It is very close to Russia. Near these ideas. Anti -insulation, anti -immigration, anti -culture. So it is completely linked. “

It may be filled with a possible presidential nomination with obstacles and contradictions. As a supporter of the Palestinians, he can fight to overcome the first round. But he clearly sees a political future as his experience in foreign policy tops the most urgent local concerns.

Currently, he says, European nationalists can gather, As they did recently In Madrid, Laud Trump and pledged to “make Europe great again” – but he soon believes that Trump will be a poisonous brand in Europe. “This is an opportunity for Europe to be the sound of stability,” he says. “Because here, we know the consequences of authoritarian nationalism.”