We, students of Europe, believe in a more powerful European Union.
You may think it's a craze, but we assure you that European commitment is what drives our social and political action. Deeply affected by recent geopolitical events, we were prompted to take action to show how the hope of a powerful Europe inspires us.
The last few weeks were very challenging for the European Union.
We have witnessed (with dismay) the end of the American-European partnership.
It took shape with a 25% rise in trade tariffs for Europeans, similar to what Trump does for the countries he regards as “enemies”, showing no consideration for our partnership.
The geopolitical reality is even worse. After three years of devastating war in Ukraine, its security, as well as Europe’s, is hanging on by a thread. Despite the European leaders’ efforts to find an agreement on peace in Ukraine, Donald Trump favored his economic interests, expecting Zelensky to sign an agreement on rare earth exploitation rather than securing peace.
By letting the Europeans manage their affairs, Donald Trump slammed the door on the post-WWII world order. The consequences will be severe. In his speech at the Munich Conference, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance made clear that the United States would not manage Europe’s security and that “America First” would guide the new administration's foreign policy. Keir Starmer stated at the London summit on the 2nd of March that we are at a “crossroads in history”. Thus, significant challenges for European nations will come.
In this context, how to believe in the future of the EU? Our conviction is that the EU is not condemned to remain a spectator of this chaos. As international students coming from different countries, we’re all united by the wish to strengthen the EU. We were all raised with freedom, democracy, and peace.
We ask our leaders to act and protect the EU we believe in.
If there is one thing Vance said in his speech that Europeans could agree upon, it is that we must defend ourselves because we can’t count on America anymore.
The biggest question that warms the talks in Europe’s offices is: How can Europe be made stronger?
The London Summit showed that defense can not be done with all European countries, but with those who will and can participate. This summit provided a glimmer of hope for European security efforts. The consensus that came out of this meeting was that Europe needed to increase its defense spending at home and in Ukraine, not only while the war rages on but also after, to serve as an effective deterrent against Russian forces.
Will a “mini-NATO”, uniting the countries present in London, be the solution towards European defense? To move forward quickly, we think it is time to change the leadership in Europe.
Despite these hopes, the chance that these negotiations will lead to a peace deal that Russia or Ukraine would accept is slim. Trump remains an unreliable negotiator, as he has shown it on Monday night when he suspended military aid to Ukraine. While the consequences of such an action could be horrid, European nations, if united, could make up for a potential American pullout. An emergency budget of €800 billion has been considered to increase the continent’s defense.
Therefore, Europe needs to come together further to provide innovative solutions. One of which is the unfreezing of Russian assets in European banks and investment in Ukraine’s defense sector. Another is relaxing debt rules for defense expenditures within the EU to allow for more money flow toward European defense industries. All in all, Europe needs to find money for rearmament, and cooperation could provide this money in several ways. This transformation of Europe is a first. But that’s what will keep us going.
We have to remember that Ukraine’s security is the guarantee of Europe’s security. We are now alone in protecting Ukraine, and it is our duty to protect its democracy and freedom against the Russian threat. Europeans must show strength in ensuring their safety and security to affirm the EU as a global power. As Kaja Kallas, Head of European Diplomacy, tweeted on March 1st: “The free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.”
We have the means of action if we unify. EU leaders, our future depends on your actions.
Wake EUp!
Signatories
Sarah Hourquet (French) - Head & Editor in Chief of the Maastricht Diplomat,
Augustin Forjonel-Legrand (French),
Clémence Bernard (French),
Violette Gabriel (French),
Alexiane François Boone (Belgian),
Jet Brinkman (Dutch),
Jakob Aufenberg (German),
Celia Kervyn (Belgian)
Elide Saia (Italian)
And on behalf of the Maastricht Diplomat team.
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