Comment by Dirk Emmerich:
Even after Donald Trump's phone call with Vladimir Putin, the war in Ukraine continues - because an agreement on a 30-day ceasefire was not reached. All that was agreed was a cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure for a month. But even before this conversation it was clear that more time would be needed to reach an agreement on a ceasefire.
The US is in favor of a ceasefire as soon as possible. Europe, although not participating in the negotiations, is in favor of a controlled ceasefire. Ukraine is in favor of one that will guarantee its preservation of statehood. And Russia, it seems, does not want to stop the fighting at all. Putin is simply buying time.
So Europe needs to recalibrate its coordinate system in the field of security policy and work out its future course regarding Ukraine.
Europe without the US: a new course in security policy
In Europe, they realized that on February 28, 2025, something broke in the Oval Office of the White House. And - by European standards - extremely quickly. There is no point in complaining. And we simply have to admit one thing: for the US, transatlantic commitments are no longer important. Therefore, Europe must find its future role on the world stage without the US behind it.
Europe is not a great power - it was an important player only in the West's image of itself, in the image of NATO. That moment in the Oval Office changed everything. Europe will have to take care of its own defense and develop an independent foreign policy.
If Europe is strong and has a powerful military-industrial complex, Putin will take it into account. But not if it is weak and relies exclusively on US military assistance. Diplomatic solutions need force guarantees - it has been so in the past, and it will be so in the future. This is also extremely important for the future sovereignty of Ukraine.
What can Europe learn from Ukraine
This is not about Europe severing its relations with America. The US will remain the largest military power for the foreseeable future, with which everyone will have to take account. This is about something else - Europeans need to find a new option for interaction and draw the appropriate conclusions. Great Britain has already set an example. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken on the role of leader and is acting on the principle: no panic, let's see what is possible.
Calling Trump and arranging meetings with him, acknowledging the fact that only he is able to negotiate a ceasefire with Putin in Ukraine, reassuring Trump, explaining to him what the interests of the Europeans are and making efforts to stimulate him to take them into account: this is the role of the intermediary powers. Europe is one of them, and it should master this role.
The biggest threat in the new situation on the global world stage is this: finding yourself ignored or passed over. This is precisely what must be avoided. Keir Starmer has clearly understood this and is ready to lead the Europeans. And it is not so important that Britain is no longer a member of the EU. It also does not matter whether countries like Hungary will want to join the plan. The world is changing at breakneck speed. Why shouldn't a "Coalition of the Willing" be an option?
Many other countries have long since mastered the role of intermediary powers, first and foremost - Saudi Arabia. When during his first presidential term, Trump refused to help his then-ally in the conflict with Iran, Saudi Arabia realized that it had to act. Riyadh began a dialogue with Iran, tried to maintain partnership relations with the United States, and began to develop contacts with China and Russia. Today, Saudi Arabia is the main mediator in achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine - it is there that negotiations between the United States and Russia are taking place.
If Europe manages to find such a new role in the global game, in which both power and interests are at stake, this will also have enormous significance for Ukraine in the future. Let's assume that a ceasefire is established. But can Putin be trusted? Can Trump be trusted?
It is possible that - unlike Putin - Trump has no plan, but only a desire to have nothing to do with the war in Europe as soon as possible. However, this could bring him trouble. And it is possible that the United States will soon appreciate the fact that Europe is becoming independent.
*Dirk Emmerich is a correspondent for the German TV channels n-tv and RTL. He has lived and worked for many years in Moscow and Washington and was a correspondent for n-tv in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan and other countries in conflict.