February 18, 2025
By Nasser Kandil
• For three years, as the U.S. waged war against Russia in the heart of Europe through the Ukrainian front, Europe acted with exceptional idiocy. It threw itself into the war, diverted its resources to sustain it, and deprived its economies of Russian oil and gas. The result: economic stagnation, the exodus of major industries and corporations – welcomed with open arms by the U.S., which offered them incentives and sold Europe energy at exorbitant prices.
• In just a few years, an economic and industrial powerhouse like Germany lost a multi-billion-dollar pipeline at Washington’s behest, funneled additional billions into arming Ukraine, and endured soaring prices, capital flight, industrial decline, rising unemployment, and reduced consumption. The rest of the so-called “old world”, as Americans describe it, suffered in varying degrees.
• Now, Washington declares through its president that the time for settlements has come. It moves to negotiate with Russia – alone, at Europe’s expense and behind its back. The core of the settlement is clear: a division of influence in Europe and recognition of Russia’s long-standing strategic and security demands in Ukraine, which has historically served as Moscow’s gateway to Europe, as once analysed by former U.S. National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski. Washington now urges Kyiv to accept the new reality: acknowledging new borders that formalise Russia’s territorial gains and cementing Moscow’s European victory.
• At the same time, the U.S. expects Ukraine to repay the war funding through its natural resources, particularly its minerals. It also demands that Europe continue paying for its ‘protection’ by purchasing overpriced American oil and gas.
• Yet despite all this, Europe has not abandoned its idiocy. And when it finally decided to move beyond it, it chose madness instead – rushing to send more weapons and funds to Ukraine while urging its president to reject the U.S.-Russia deal.
• For Washington, what matters is reaching an understanding with Russia, whether or not the war stops. For Moscow, what matters is securing an agreement with the U.S., regardless of whether the fighting continues. But as the war drags on, Russia only expands its control and deepens its influence. If Europe persists in its madness, it may open the door for Moscow to advance further into European territory – unless upcoming elections bring to power rational leaders who can recalibrate relations with Russia.
