Neutrality Studies Europe & NATO at the Edge of Disaster—With Eyes Wide Shut | Dr. Gabriele Krone-Schmalz
Dec 6, 2025
Dr. Gabriele Krone-Schmalz, a renowned German journalist and author, delves into Europe’s geopolitical turmoil. She critiques Europe's reaction to US-Russia talks and highlights a misplaced moral stance overshadowing realistic diplomacy. Gabriele discusses the importance of acknowledging military realities for peace negotiations and warns against taboos that hinder dialogue with Putin. She also emphasizes the declining influence of Europe in global politics and advocates for education as a remedy for democracy's credibility crisis.
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Morality Replacing Factual Analysis
- European leaders often substitute moral outrage for factual analysis when assessing the war in Ukraine.
- Gabriele Krone-Schmalz argues only diplomacy can end the war, not more military escalation.
Ignore Battlefield Reality At Your Peril
- Public and political rhetoric ignores battlefield realities and focuses on preventing perceived political 'victory.'
- Krone-Schmalz stresses negotiating with the stronger party to spare lives and stop the dying.
End Fighting Before Demanding Guarantees
- Do prioritise diplomacy before insisting on abstract 'security guarantees' that assume peace already exists.
- Krone-Schmalz recommends ending active fighting first, then negotiating durable security arrangements.
