Quotes
The fact that treaties suddenly no longer apply for a US president and that he practically takes the opposite side in the case of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is of course shocking,
Hoff told DW
It is now important that the Europeans agree on a common strategy very, very quickly,
Merz told public broadcaster RBB,It is simply wrong and dangerous to question President Zelenskyy's democratic legitimacy,
Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the media outlet Der Spiegel on Wednesday ... he saidBerlin politicians are shocked and paralyzed,
said political scientist Henning Hoff of the German Council on Foreign Relations.jpg)
This is basically a classic perpetrator-victim reversal, this is the Russian narrative,
said Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who, going by opinion polls, is currently most likely to be the next German chancellorWe have to ensure our own security,
he told public broadcaster ZDF, stressingAnd to be honest, I am somewhat shocked that Donald Trump has now obviously adopted this narrative,
Merz continued
That he is suddenly saying that Ukraine attacked Russia is almost unacceptable,
Germany's Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck accused Trump of distorting the facts ... Habeck told public broadcaster ARDThe next German government should work closely with its European allies to improve its ability to act as quickly as possible and try to close the capability gaps that a US withdrawal from Europe will leave behind,
he saidI honestly think that the EU this week is a bit in shock,
Koert Debeuf, a professor of international relations at the Brussels School of Governance and a former advisor to the Belgian prime minister, said ... in reference to the events at the Munich Security Conference
The new U.S. administration is trying to weaken European countries, including Türkiye."
Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, director of the Brussels-based European Neighbourhood Council, saidGiven U.S. threats to draw down its forces stationed in Europe, Türkiye's contributions will be increasingly vital for the security and stability of the continent."
Senior analyst Amanda Paul from the European Policy Centre think tank emphasizedWashington's drastic policy shifts serve as an incentive for EU countries to cooperate more, as well as for new strategic partners like Türkiye and the U.K. to play a bigger role. This applies both to Ukraine, as well as in the context of European procurement and production,
the council director saidTürkiye has become even more important for NATO since Washington has shown less interest in the European security architecture. Threats are emanating from the Black Sea, from the Mediterranean, and hybridity in ways that would have been unimaginable decades ago."
He addedIt continues to play an important role, along with other allies, in shoring up European security amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine."
She saidIf we're talking about the European army... it's quite obvious that Türkiye should be on the table. Leaving Türkiye behind would be, I think, a mistake. So certainly when it comes to new evolutions in warfare, being drones and so forth, Türkiye is far ahead."
He said
If we don't, the United States will withdraw from Europe,
Aaltola added
When the US mentions future European participation, it doesn't imply genuine involvement. Once the US and Russia reach a consensus, they can persuade Europe and Ukraine to accept the outcome, addressing some of their security concerns,
Zhang said
These US-Europe differences may reduce the conflict's intensity, but future disagreements still require consultation to resolve."
Zhao saidToday I heard, 'Oh, well, we weren't invited.' Well, you've been there for three years. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal."
Trump rebuked Kyiv's complaints, stating