The Monocle Daily Macron hosts a second meeting on Ukraine and Trump’s approval rating slips
Feb 19, 2025
Michael Binion, a foreign affairs specialist and leader writer at The Times, dives into the intricacies of Macron's Ukraine summit and the frustrations of European countries left out of the initial discussions. He examines Trump’s plummeting approval ratings, attributing them to economic inaction. Additionally, Binion discusses the reluctance of left-wing activists in the UK to collaborate politically and shares thoughts on reviving the tradition of dressing up for outings, exploring how social norms are evolving post-pandemic.
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Europe's Ukraine Summit Challenge
- Emmanuel Macron's Ukraine summits highlight Europe's dependency on US support.
- Europe's frustration grows as US commitment seems uncertain, pushing them to rethink their strategy.
Europe's Defense Dilemma
- Europe faces a stark choice on defense as US support wanes under Trump.
- Building credible European military forces conflicts with political will and resource constraints.
Ukraine and Europe's Strategic Mistakes
- Decisions over Ukraine without Ukrainian input echo troubling historical precedents.
- Europe's reliance on US has historically discouraged independent defense efforts, now seen as a strategic weakness.