As a European, it is worth thinking about what Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen were looking for in China. We can come to interesting and important conclusions. It is likely that the leadership of the Union realized that the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war cannot happen with either side declaring itself the winner. It became Russia's eastern bastion. Despite the fact that the weapons sent from the EU countries line up behind Ukraine, it seems that Russia enjoys the sympathy of two-thirds of the world and forms an impenetrable wall between East and West for a long time. The chances of a possible world war are not in favor of the West. In the event of a nuclear war, it is only a dream that North America would remain unscathed.
The accession of the European Union to the war in which the USA is interested is not only a committed armed presence, but also has serious political and economic consequences. It is an orbital error to believe that China stands behind the superpower that competes with it and will follow the USA's export of democracy anywhere in the future.
The countries of the European continent are at a crossroads. Today, we can perhaps still stand up for the independence of our continent, thereby maintaining a balance between the two superpowers. We can decide to accept the unilateral political ideas of the USA, which would use Europe as a springboard and result in its economic strengthening.
The fate of half a billion European citizens depends on the above decision. We can choose a long-term commitment to world peace, or we can preserve a cold war, which can turn into another "hot" war at any time.
The question can only be decided by the citizens of Europe. From a civil point of view, the 2024 EU parliamentary election is not about which party alliance will be stronger in the EU, but unquestionably about peace or the continuation of senseless warfare. Creating peace in Europe is apparently not in the interests of the USA. The Biden administration seeks to maintain constant tension, thereby justifying its military presence directly, but also indirectly by assuming the leading role of NATO. Europe, on the other hand, needs a defense force that can be equal in defending the Western alliance and guaranteeing European sovereignty.
Let's face it, the midwifery of the Americans came in handy for a long time, the possibility of curbing our war expenditures. Now the lesson is that there is no free bread. Therefore, the correct direction is to raise European independent armament to a reasonable and proportionate level in a compatible manner within the NATO defense alliance. This way, the goat will be full and the cabbage will be preserved. The majority of European citizens would support this solution, since free economic competition could remain the way forward at the level of sovereign states even along different political and economic interests.
China's request for a cease-fire and preparation for peace is a right effort. Due to their ancient culture, it would be a mistake to look down on the gray matter of their leadership. They don't need honey strings, they know their place in the world. They, like the USA, can send weapons to Russia labeled for defense purposes. If there is no peace agreement soon, this assumption may become a reality.
The political and economic pressure of the USA is ensnaring Europe. The result is political and economic instability on our continent. The Germans and French can slowly see their middle power status as a thing of the past, the defining reason for which is that they left their native population in a dead end. The citizens of Europe need independent, strong leaders who respect the sovereignty of the people.
In 2024, the EU parliamentary elections could bring about the declaration of the continent's sovereignty in the 24th hour. Through the Union's expanding alliance towards the Western Balkans, together with the sobriety of the leaders of the V4 and Poland, we can become a major factor in world peace. We must return to the guiding thread of the founders of the Union and to the representation of the interests of the citizens of Europe. Guaranteeing the sovereignty of our states and the subsidiarity that undermines democracy is the way of the future. The primacy of the economy over politics is the fundamental interest of the population of our country and, in a fortunate case, the bearer of the deposit of world peace.
László Csizmadia
Photo: Attila Polyák – Origo
