German ex‑president warns of Trump's potential betrayal of Europe
Will Donald Trump betray the European "ideas of freedom"? The former President of Germany believes it's possible. Joachim Gauck also claims that he sees a chance for the end of the Ukraine-Russia war, but "it won't necessarily be a just ending."
The interview with Joachim Gauck was conducted by RTL reporter Philipp Sandmann, who published it on his blog. The main theme of the conversation was Donald Trump's policy towards Ukraine, as well as the approach of European leaders to the Ukrainian-Russian conflict.
The former President of Germany believes the scenario of ending the war is "not necessarily just." He emphasises that if Russia gets everything it expects, then the United States won't bring peace, but "surrender."
"If the United States under President Trump withdraws from responsibility, if they yield to the aggressor and force the victim to surrender, Trump will betray the idea of freedom," Gauck believes.
The German politician also criticises Trump for blaming Ukraine for the outbreak of the war. He emphasises that "the American President should finally start playing the strength card."
"Putin will realise that he cannot win this war—militarily, economically, or politically," the former President of Germany during the years 2012 - 2017 explains.
At the same time, the German politician expresses concerns regarding the development of relationships between Western politicians and Russia. In his opinion, "Europe and Germany will return to the old reflex: the principle of hope" and will believe in restrained diplomacy towards Russia. Gauck also expresses concern that Europe is still too weak both militarily and emotionally to defend itself against Putin's dictatorship.
"The NATO alliance that used to protect us has not been reliable since Donald Trump's time. Anyone who doesn't see this confuses the present with the past. And anyone who doesn't draw consequences from this awareness acts carelessly," added the German politician.
