Pars Today – “The dialogue between Putin and Trump” and “tariffs on U.S. imports” are two key issues that have sparked tensions between the U.S. and its allies.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, revealed on the sidelines of the Munich Conference that Ukraine has not been invited to the upcoming meeting between the U.S. and Russia in Saudi Arabia! According to Pars Today, Ukraine’s president subtly encouraged Europe to create an independent army while sending a message to the U.S. President that no agreement will be accepted without Kiev’s presence.
Zelenskyy said at the Munich Security Conference: “America never saw us in NATO; they only talked about it. They really didn’t want us in NATO.”
What stance have European countries taken?
Previously, Boris Pistorius, Germany’s Defense Minister, with implicit approval of this approach, stated: “If the European Union is excluded from Ukraine peace negotiations, relations between Europe and the U.S. will change.”
According to Bloomberg, senior U.S. and Russian officials will meet next week in Saudi Arabia to pave the way for talks between the leaders of both countries later this month to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
What is NATO’s position?
In line with this, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte took a stance at the annual Munich Security Conference aligning with the U.S., saying Europeans should not complain about being excluded from Ukraine peace talks but instead present concrete plans regarding the issue.
Divergent stances of the U.S. and the UK
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth openly declared at the meeting of NATO defense ministers and allies: “Europe and Ukraine are no longer a priority for the U.S.” He also dismissed Ukraine’s NATO membership, stating that returning Ukraine to its 2014 borders is impossible.
However, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, taking a different stance from the U.S., announced Britain’s readiness to deploy military forces to Ukraine to help ensure the country’s security.
The start of the tariff war
On the other hand, the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. government on imports has provoked reactions from its allies.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, said: “We are strong enough to respond to anything that harms the European economy.”
Trump has announced that he will impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports to the U.S. starting March 12 and plans to introduce new tariffs on cars in April. On Thursday, he instructed his administration to develop plans for reciprocal tariffs against multiple trading partners, marking his most extensive trade action yet.
A strange closing ceremony
Christoph Heusgen, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, tearfully said during the closing remarks: “After the speech of US Vice President on Friday, we have to fear that our common value base is not that common anymore.”
The U.S. Vice President told European leaders on Friday that their greatest security threat is not military aggression from Russia or China, but rather the suppression of free speech in their own countries, including efforts to prevent far-right parties from entering governments.
MG/UR
