In the recent history of the relationship between Europe and the United States, two February 24 are to be marked with a white stone: February 24, 2022 and February 24, 2025. The first signs the return of the war in Europe, which unites the two major partners of the Western community against Russia. The second devotes their divorce. Basic for two decades, their union is smashed over Ukraine.
In 2022, for months, the team of President Joe Biden tried to convince his European allies that Vladimir Putin, at the head of Russia, prepared his troops to invade Ukraine. In vain. Europeans do not want to believe it. Even the Ukrainians are skeptical: it has been eight years since Russia was carrying out a war of low intensity in the east of their country, after having seized Crimea in 2014. Kremlin intimidation maneuvers, they know.
On February 19, at the Munich on security conference, the American vice-president, Kamala Harris, tried the last time, in private, to alert Volodymyr Zelensky. Washington evacuated his embassy to kyiv. In reality, at this stage, the Ukrainian president is aware of what is being prepared, but he is just as aware of the balance of power with Moscow. Exasperated, he ends up throwing in Kamala Harris: “Ok, we're going to be invaded, and then what are you doing?” Do you take sanctions? Do you give us planes? Are you blocking ports of ports to Russian ships? »» The sanctions will come later, replies Kamala Harris, according to the story of journalist Bob Woodward in his book War (“War”, Simon & Schuster, 2024, not translated) :: “Punishment comes after crime. »»
No need to resist
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Source: Lemonde