Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast Michael von der Schulenburg: Alaska Meeting Was a "Game Changer"
Aug 16, 2025
Michael von der Schulenburg is a seasoned German EU Parliament member and former UN diplomat with 34 years of experience. He reveals why the Alaska meeting could be a turning point in international relations, emphasizing the critical need for trust in diplomacy. Schulenburg warns against self-righteous attitudes that hinder conflict resolution, particularly in the context of the Ukraine crisis. He advocates for a reevaluation of U.S. foreign policies and a strategic shift for Europe to ensure constructive engagement with Asia while avoiding militarization.
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Trust Is The Central Geopolitical Problem
- Trust is the core problem in current geopolitics and its absence pushes actors toward military solutions.
- Michael von der Schulenburg argues the Alaska meeting was a trust-building exercise that changed dynamics.
Diplomacy Needs Three Simple Rules
- Diplomacy requires respect, listening, and trying to understand the other side to defuse conflicts.
- Michael von der Schulenburg warns absence of diplomacy today makes the world more dangerous than the Cold War.
Self-Righteousness Blocks Peace
- Self-righteousness blinds parties and fuels war by closing off negotiation possibilities.
- Europe’s repeated framing of the war prevents practical peace talks with Russia, von der Schulenburg says.