From a European perspective, Trump’s portrayal of Tuesday’s phone call—flattering Putin while bypassing the Ukrainians—looks like a worst-case scenario, says Fabian Hoffmann.
What this episode highlights above all, writes Fabian Hoffmann, is that amid American withdrawal, Europe’s main challenge is not a lack of military capability—though that plays a role—but a failure of mindset. The real issue is Europe’s inability and unwillingness to define its own interests and ensure they are pursued.