10 Comments
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Hans Torvatn's avatar

Yes. Europe needs to look away from Washington. And Ruttes message was simply disgusting.

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John Maton's avatar

Something I have been thinking about on and off for quite some time. Probably I am over thinking it and crediting our leaders with more than their due, but just maybe I wonder do they have a coordinated strategy towards Trump? Carney plays the strong man, Starmer dangles a Royal visit and plays up the special relationship, Rutte licks arse and the others play their roles with Meloni the good girl. Over thinking, right?

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Two Grumpy Old Men on Ukraine's avatar

A wonderful thought/hope, sort of taking a body part each....🫣🤣🤔

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John Maton's avatar

As I said I’m probably over thinking it. But, if they are not working together I think they should be. More wishful thinking.

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Patrick Worms's avatar

I'm completely convinced they're working together. These are not stupid people.

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John Maton's avatar

Absolutely brilliant. Will recommend far and wide. Lick the arse or not lick the arse, that is the question.

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Patrick Worms's avatar

I would not slam Rutte: in Versailles, what matters is not the reality of things, but the degree of flattery one can apply to the Sun King's pride. And if Trump is anyone, he is the Sun King of our time.

Whether we like it or not, Europe is neither united nor capable enough to ensure its own defence against Russia (in this regard, here in Belgium, we remain the masters of the absurd, loudly proclaiming our commitment to the 5% target, but having negotiated between government parties to increase it to… 2.5%. By the next legislature, of course). So, alas, we need the Americans, and thus we need TACO, whether we like it or not. And as the Sun King likes to have his boots licked, I’m glad Rutte is licking them for us.

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Vytas Aukstuolis's avatar

Love it, as a Lithuanian American I've been having similar reservations about Washington. Though, I wonder, why should the center of power for protection be Brussels, and not somewhere more East? More and more, I question why Eastern Europe depends on others for its security when it has a larger population, economy, and likely stronger combined military than Russia. Eastern Europe should be an autonomous region, not a dependency. Especially, as you point out,

the tepid enthusiasm from Western Europe.

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Two Grumpy Old Men on Ukraine's avatar

You make a great point there, thanks - Warsaw not Bruxelles? A good sign to send, true.

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Eugine Nier's avatar

The biggest nitwits are the ones who have been leading Europe for half a century into such a state that it now has no choice but to grovel before the US.

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