Ukraine war is Europe’s problem, Trump ally tells Labour

32 comments

1. Trump encouraged Putin, now enjoys the shitshow and blames everyone else.

   Basic narcissistic traumatiser playbook pattern.

2. the worry is that america may need to have another term of the right wingers and hit rock bottom , like we did, to finally get rid of the clowns.

   it’s going to be a time when europe needs to shape up and do without america, and britain hopefully will understand europe is where it’s best interests lie

3. We can’t really expect the Americans to care more about a European war than Europe does, especially if they elect an openly isolationist president.

   If Ukraine is going to keep fighting the war, Europe will need to step up military production and arm them. Which we should really should have spent the last 2 years preparing to do.

4. This is long needed Tbf. Europe has been so pathetic on defense that a kick up the bum is needed.

   Very few countries have actually met their nato obligations in the past. And some still aren’t even 2 years after Russia invaded a European neighbour.

5. It’s the USs problem too. A destabilised Europe impacts USA as well.

   It also means Europe turning away from USA for security, not buying US defence products as much.

   This would be a flag that US is leaving NATO, a bad ally under Trump which only encourages fascists and authoritarians which will impact USA even further.

6. I’m pleased we have Starmer. It looks like Europe and NATO are going to take one hell of a battering come November, so we need a leader who will step up and defend our position.

   Putin has played the long game, as have China. They have their stooges everywhere.

7. Trump is the second biggest risk to the world after Putin. Crazy people should not be allowed to run the country in general, let alone have a say in a war. 

8. Where are the likes of Roosevelt and Churchill when you need them

9. > Elbridge Colby told The Telegraph that the UK should not expect significant support from the US on Ukraine under a second Trump administration, and called for Europe to take “primary responsibility” for the war.
   >
   > He suggested Britain should deploy a “Britain first” approach to defence and security.

   The political stupidity of this attitude never ceases to amaze me. There is a reason that Europe continues to rely so heavily on the US for defence, and that reason is that historically US administrations have **wanted** us to. American foreign policy is the default western foreign policy, and that privileged position is bought largely through the outsourcing of defence matters to the US – that doesn’t just include physical defence of Europe but also the ability to project force abroad to influence events around the world. They’re the ones who can affect things, so they’re the ones who get to decide in what manner things should be affected.

   The corollary to a resurge in European defence spending is that Europe’s going to be significantly less willing to toe the US line when it comes to making foreign and defence policy decisions, and I don’t think that that’s fully appreciated by those advocating it in the states.

   All that said though, in principle from a UK point of view I think that that’s fine in the long term. I think if Europe rebuilds both its military and defence-industrial capabilities to the point that we can guarantee our own security at home and abroad then so much the better. I don’t think that necessarily includes abandoning the Indo-Pacific – there’s some areas we should still be involved, particularly the industrial and technological cooperation with Australia and Japan – but if they want us to focus forces in the Atlantic and Europe – fine.

10. Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The USA tried isolationism before and it turned out badly for everyone.

11. He is right . There is no need for the UK to pivot to the Pacific. There is very little little Britain can do in the Pacific to counter China . Britain should work with it’s European allies and focus on European security. First and foremost,to secure Europe’s porous borders.

12. Typical ignoring of history whilst being an enabler. If it’s an ally’s problem, it’ll soon become your problem. If you court evil, you give them reason to believe they have a free pass.

13. Trump’s foreign policy revolves around:

    * Does he want to build a tower/casino/golf course there?
    * Does he not want a pee tape to be released?

    Nothing else.

14. America is becoming a British problem too at this rate irrespective of who wins the upcoming election.

15. People will moan but they’re correct. America has proven itself to be a shaky ally even during WW2 and only really got heavily involved after the Japs dragged them into it. Europe needs to step up for its own sake. It’s unfair and irresponsible to expect America to enforce world peace while Europe cuts military spending and fails to meet targets. I’m saying this as a European.

16. Come on America… We did our part getting rid of crazy from our parliament now it’s your turn.

    Biden may be getting on a bit.. But he respects the law… Unlike trump who at this point will likely become the last president of the US and then some form of megalomaniac god emperor…. All the while trashing the US Standing on the world stage. And your supreme court have decided he’s above the law effectively…

17. Considering that the loathsome Con Coughlin was writing in the Torygraph that Trump would be good for Ukraine as he would stand up for Putin… is the Torygraph reeling back on their lies that a fascist would be good for the state of the world? Not really, more trying to prepare their audience.

18. Shocks me how close to the top of US government the Russians can get now, as a child of the cold war and seeing how spies and the ‘commies’ were dealt with back then its unbelievable to have what is basically a Russian puppet almost back in charge.

19. Hi, remind me again, which continent is the UK part of?

20. It’ll be the problem of the world if Putin takes over Europe

21. > He suggested Britain should deploy a “Britain first” approach to defence and security.

    Funnily enough the best way to ensure our defence and security is to not fight them on _our_ beaches, but to stop them even leaving theirs.

    The right wing spout this insular nonsense because it sounds great as some kind of “common sense” soundbite but in practice is just insidious shite meant to foster knee-jerk nationalism from outside threats.

22. I’m not sure that a remiliterized Europe with an independent foreign policy is in the long term interests of the US. 

    But that’s not going to bother Tяump…

23. He’s not entirely wrong on that it is immediately more Europe’s issue than it is the US’s but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a dog in this fight. If Europe falls to or sides with Russia that is a massive loss to their hegemony.

24. He actually has a point here. We’re all piggybacking on US defense spending and really should pull our finger out. Especially when America has another coast which points towards China.

25. If that is your attitude so be it. Europe will beat Russia easily. And then as the dust settles and the rebuilding begins, America can fuck off.

26. No it’s a Ukraine/Russian problem both leaders should just fight to the death and get it over with sick of these world leaders sending other people to die for fuck all

27. We can’t rely on the US. Every 4 years it’s a 50/50 chance they become a fascist dictatorship. We have to take the lead with Europe and sort out our own defence policy with France and Germany.

    Equally if the US can’t be a good ally then we shouldn’t be so nice to them: Start taxing Meta and google heavily, help Airbus to take this opportunity to crush Boeing etc.

28. America and Europe are going to need allies. It’s vital that the free democratic nations of the world are United

29. I hope all the Farage supporters take note – this is the man Farage backs.

30. >Elbridge Colby told The Telegraph that the UK should not expect significant support from the US on Ukraine under a second Trump administration, and called for Europe to take “primary responsibility” for the war.
    He suggested Britain should deploy a “Britain first” approach to defence and security.

    Very well. In that case all American bases can go and we will no longer follow their lead on world affairs. And should you guys in the States get into a kerfuffle or two with China, count us out.

31. The US acting as though they aren’t benefitting financially from yet another war through European nations restocking their donated equipment by purchasing it from the US.

32. I have absolutely zero doubt that an organised Europe, Norway, and United Kingdom can eat Putin and his gopniks for breakfast. In fact, if we successfully overthrew the regime and implemented a Euro-centric government, we would be the most powerful set of allies ever to have existed. Just needs hard work, boots on the ground, and to actually take up some fucking responsibility rather than letting Ukraine shoulder *everything*. Hey presto, America is irrelevant again!