After Donald Trump's first speech to the US Congress and before the extraordinary meeting of the European Council in Brussels - what are the scenarios for the war in Ukraine and will peace negotiations begin? Is America still a partner of Europe or is it slowly and gradually withdrawing from its commitments on the Old Continent? The topic in the studio of “Hello, Bulgaria” was commented on by the journalist from “Contrakomentar” Assen Genov and the journalist and international analyst Ognyan Duskarev.
“In my opinion, the US is still a partner of Europe. I do not think that it will secede so categorically. Proof of this is the over 100,000-strong army that is located on the Old Continent. In addition, the very nuclear umbrella over Europe, which has been in place since the Cold War, is American,” Duskarev said.
Regarding French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal that this “umbrella be French,” he emphasized: “France is the largest nuclear power with 290 nuclear warheads. I assume that other European countries will also join in. This is part of the EC head’s plan, according to which 800 billion euros will be allocated, with each country being asked to increase its defense spending by 1.5 percent. How this will affect Bulgaria, I don’t know. I don't know if taxes won't increase”.
For his part, Genov said that “it is extremely difficult to predict exactly what the US policy will be from now on”.
“Because Donald Trump is able to say something within 24 hours and then deny his words. In this sense, it is absolutely reasonable for Europe to think about its own security, without relying on the US anymore. Another issue is that Washington should remember that they have never helped Europe gratuitously, selflessly or simply for pure motives –. This has always been related to their own security – regardless of the oceans that divide them, as well as their financial interests”, he was categorical.
According to him, when asked that the US might withdraw its military from the Old Continent – Europe must think about its own security.