German media: Europe must free itself from dependence on Trump
The meeting between European heads of state and government leaders and US President Trump at the White House continues to be a topic of interest for German media:
The Sunday edition of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung wrote: From the European perspective, the results were mixed. US President Trump now acknowledges that Ukraine needs security guarantees to reach a peace agreement with Russia. On the other hand, his occasional remarks seem as if Moscow has hacked his teleprompter. People still doubt whether the US president ultimately wants to trade away Ukraine - perhaps also to trade away European security. Therefore, Europe must clarify its own priorities. In the short term, they must do everything they can to support Ukraine in defending Europe using their own resources. The second priority is to free themselves from dependence on the US. If Europe does not want to become a pawn of a narcissist, it cannot rely on a person who appears confused or on a country that keeps nuclear weapons in its toy box.
Austrian newspaper Die Presse emphasized: In Washington, seven European little men are cajoling their host, trying to gain his support and make him obedient. It's a farce: because day by day, it becomes clearer that what was done in Alaska and subsequently in Washington is mostly just talk. A peaceful resolution for Ukraine is still far off. Nevertheless, everyone claims to be willing to promote peace to avoid alienating the US president. For months, this strange diplomatic dance has been blaming each other for the failure of peace efforts.
Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung asked: What has actually been achieved by Trump's summit? Has he taken a step towards a possible peace in Ukraine, thereby moving closer to the more important goal of the Nobel Peace Prize? The reality on the front lines has not changed. Putin is simply waiting for a formal peace before launching a new war, further conquering more territory in Ukraine. He is not interested in land; he wants to strip Ukraine of its sovereignty and turn it into a puppet state. Therefore, if Trump wants to help Ukraine achieve lasting peace - and thus gain honor - he must show Putin that both he and Europe support Ukraine. It must never encourage Putin to think that time is on his side. This would at least be the first step.
German TV channel One found: First, the Alaska summit, then the meeting in Washington. Trump is rushing around, but it seems that for now, that's about all. Trump said that his counterparts Putin and Zelenskyy "are as difficult to mix as oil and vinegar." He lowered expectations for rapid diplomatic progress. He is no longer in a hurry for peace in Ukraine.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841381219275788/
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