BERLIN, March 3. /TASS/. Europe may turn into a pawn in the new world order unless it becomes more independent, Carlo Masala, a renowned German military expert, said.
"In the end, the only alternative for Europe is to become self-reliant," the professor for International Politics at the Bundeswehr University Munich told Deutschlandfunk radio station. And in striving for self-reliance, he stated, it [Europe] must sustain its connections. "In the foreseeable future, the US will hardly be a dependable ally in terms of values and interests, but it will certainly have more interests with us than with others," the expert said, emphasizing that an independent, sovereign Europe would be an appealing partner for the US.
Amid the changes in the world order and shifts in US policy, Europe may lose its relevance "unless it consolidates its own strength, the capacity to defend itself, and establishes new ties with the global South," Masala remarked, adding that in such a case, it "will become a tool in the hands of foreign powers rather than the architect of its own future," Masala warned.
European nations will need to determine how to gain independence from the US at the upcoming Special European Council meeting on March 6, the expert suggested. Regarding the potential suspension of US aid to Kiev, Masala noted that Europeans could fill gaps in humanitarian support and even cover shortfalls in military assistance, though not as swiftly or only to a limited degree, particularly in critical areas like intelligence or air defense, he concluded.
The New York Times previously reported, citing a US official, that US President Donald Trump would discuss the possible halt of aid to Ukraine with his team on March 3.
On February 28, Vladimir Zelensky visited the White House for a meeting with Trump. Their televised exchange, with reporters present, devolved into a shouting match, with Trump reprimanding Zelensky for disrespecting the United States and US Vice President JD Vance pointing to Zelensky's ungratefullness to Washington for the support provided to Kiev. The press conference following their meeting was canceled. Trump posted a statement on the Truth Social network asserting that Zelensky disrespected the US and displayed reluctance to seek a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict.