Ivo Daalder believes that this weekend’s play reflects a greater shift in the world order that has been prevalent since the Second World War.
“It is a geopolitical shift, the time when the United States maintained a regular order and created it, died in January 2025 when Donald Trump became president,” says Daalder.
When US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth met the NATO countries’ defense ministers on Friday, he warned Europe that the United States will no longer be responsible for Europe’s defense. Something that Daalder believes shows that the United States has already left Europe.
– I believe that Europe is already standing alone, the US Defense Minister told its colleagues in NATO that Europe needs to take care of Europe’s defense. So in this way, for the first time since 1941, the United States does not believe that Europe’s security is crucial to US security.
Europe needs to stand on its own legs
Just like Zelenskyj, Daalder thinks it is now time for Europe to stand on his own.
– Europe needs to become a strong player, Europe needs political strength, they need economic strength and they should have military strength to take care of their own interests, says Daalder.
He also believes that European leaders must be tougher in conversations with the United States.
– I think there is an idea that if they are kind or buy gas or find ways to improve financial relationships, Donald Trump will somehow decide that he wants to be a good ally. Donald Trump does not believe in alliances, he has never believed in alliances, says Daalder.
No peace without Europe and Ukraine
Next week, talks will start between the United States and Russia in Saudi Arabia. According to sources at the BBC, Ukraine will not participate in the talks.
– It will not lead to peace, it will not end the war. There is not a world where the United States and Russia themselves can decide that the war in Ukraine, where Ukrainian battles, will cease. It cannot be an end to the war unless Ukraine is part of the negotiations, says Daalder.
On Saturday, US special envoy announced to Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellog that Europe will be closed out.
– Since Ukraine wants security guarantees and the United States is not prepared to give them, Europe must be part of it. So without Ukraine, without Europe, there is no peace, says Ivo Daalder.
See the entire interview with Ivo Daalder in tonight’s Agenda 21.15 in SVT2 or on Svtplay.