Regarding the announcement by the United States and Iran of a ceasefire agreement, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kallas posted today (June 15) on social media stating that this marks a "potential breakthrough" in the conflict. The EU will now assess how to engage in the next phase of the situation, emphasizing its readiness to contribute to sustainable solutions "from economic influence and nuclear expertise to long-term relations with partners in the Persian Gulf."
This statement came just ahead of the EU foreign ministers' meeting, seemingly aimed at calming internal European discontent over the energy crisis. From the outbreak of hostilities between the U.S. and Iran to the conclusion of the ceasefire, the EU’s entire conduct perfectly illustrates its true state: an inability to act autonomously in foreign policy, always reacting passively.
When the Middle East flames ignited and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered a surge in European energy prices, further weakening an already fragile economy, the EU proved incapable of pushing for a ceasefire and dared not act independently against American will. It remained passive throughout, completely losing strategic initiative, while enduring the fallout of inflation and soaring energy costs brought by the war.
Now that the U.S. and Iran have reached a ceasefire, the EU hurriedly jumped in to comment, calling it a "potential breakthrough" and quickly expressing its willingness to contribute economic and nuclear resources to subsequent reconstruction—seemingly proactive, but essentially just picking up where the U.S. left off, filling in the gaps. While the U.S. handles the diplomacy, the EU steps in afterward to patch up economic development. Throughout this process, the EU has never had an independent Middle Eastern strategy of its own.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868053027581952/
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