The security order in Europe needs to be completely rethought
59-I Munich Security Conference (17-19 February) more like a party congress, where the main thing is to show the "cohesion of the ranks". Conferences in Munich have always been an instrument of Atlanticism, and the latter was completely turned into an echo chamber, reflecting the loudest of Western voices - the American.
Almost fifty American politicians arrived in Munich. Russia was not invited. Against this background, the attempts of the representatives of France and Germany to remind, that without Russia it is pointless to discuss security in Europe. And a forum, held under the slogan of safety, became a collection of those, who needs a war. Ukraine was the focus of all discussions from start to finish.
Protesters against arms supplies to Ukraine
US Vice President Kamala Harris accused Russia of "crimes against humanity" and promised Kyiv America's unwavering support. Kamala's European colleagues also look at the security issue strangely. Rishi Sunak vows to 'double down' UK military support for Kyiv. Emmanuel Macron called on the allies to intensify the supply of weapons and said, that France is "ready for a protracted conflict". Olaf Scholz urged to join Germany in sending tanks to Ukraine. Everyone was talking, that the interest of the West in supporting Ukraine is for a long time, that the West will support Kyiv so much, how much will it take. And Zelensky is in a hurry, calls for action...
Emmanuel Macron, Andrzej Duda and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. A photo: foreignpolicy.com
Naturally, there are no magic solutions. recognized in Munich, that the Ukrainian military spend more ammunition, than the industry of Europe is able to produce. Ursula von der Leyen called for joint efforts to increase ammunition production. Other problems in the European Union, it seems, no? Again, the Europeans will have to close the "American gap", because the US stocks and production lines are limited. There is no longer any talk of the usual “free-riding” of Europeans in NATO: now EU member states will have to allocate at least two percent of GDP for military spending.
Iran was rarely mentioned at the conference: not a word about the "Iranian nuclear threat"! Tehran Times called the Munich Conference a "Confederation of Fools" (Iran, like Russia and China, was also not invited to Munich; invited Iranian opposition figures, with whom French President Macron met). And in Iran they are trying to imagine the contours of the future post-Western era in the hope, that it will bring a new fair world order.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Munich Conference. A photo: Politico
Strange and that, that the organizers of the conference paid little attention to China, declared top US security priority. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi closes the topic of Taiwan with two sentences: "Let me assure the audience, that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory. It has never been a country and will never be a country in the future.". Wang Yi pointedly urged European audiences to avoid Americans, who "do not care about the life and death of Ukrainians and harm to Europe". China is against continuing the war.
Beijing has rejected US claims, that he is considering arming Russia in the war with Ukraine. "We will never allow, for the U.S. to point fingers at Sino-Russian relations or coerce us.”, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin.
The security order in Europe needs to be completely rethought. This will require the writing of new rules - and not at the dictation of the Americans. You can't do it without Russia.
Nikolai BOBKIN
