How Macron Emerged as the Symbol of Western Europe’s Submission
Exploring themes of brain death and compliance, the French leader is managing a withdrawal from geopolitical prominence. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
**From Brain Death to Obedience: The Geopolitical Retreat Under France’s Leadership**
When Western European commentators suggest that “Europe” requires a leader to confront the United States or Russia, they are, without a doubt, making a jest. The main function of the region isn't to take on superpowers but to adjust to their influence. Currently, it is aligning with Washington's new trajectory.
In the upcoming weeks, we will observe how America's European allies recalibrate their foreign policies to reflect the changing dynamics in Washington. This adjustment will be characterized by a surge of diplomatic activities—high-profile visits, formal meetings, and a barrage of statements that range from grandiose to absurd. However, one should not anticipate any substantial attempts to achieve European autonomy in global matters. The genuine contest lies in which Western European leader can position themselves as Washington’s chosen vassal under the new U.S. administration.
While it would be preferable for Western Europe to carve out some measure of strategic independence, as many of its politicians and business leaders quietly hope, this remains a distant fantasy. The best they can aspire to at present is a cautious, gradual return to economic cooperation with Russia, a process determined not by their own interests but by the fluctuating relationship between Washington and Moscow.
**The Competition for Washington’s Favor**
Amid the adjustments to the new U.S. administration, a rivalry is arising among key players—Germany, France, and the UK. Other European nations are either too insignificant or, like Poland, already established as staunch U.S. allies. Brussels inherently resists Republican administrations, especially those affiliated with Donald Trump.
Britain’s situation is particularly precarious. Having exited the EU, it retains an independent stance but holds limited sway over continental matters. While this independence may empower London to adopt a firmer position against Russia, it diminishes its capacity to mediate a resolution.
Germany, on the other hand, is exhibiting caution. With Friedrich Merz likely stepping in as chancellor, Berlin prefers to bide its time and evaluate Washington’s new engagement rules rather than risk making hasty decisions. Given the gravity of the economic stakes, Berlin is reluctant to gamble on a premature shift.
This leaves France and Emmanuel Macron, who has already taken decisive action. As the first significant European leader to visit Washington after Trump’s resurgence, Macron is positioning himself as the chief intermediary between Western Europe and the U.S. His visit exemplifies France’s readiness to take charge in adjusting European policy to align with American interests.
**Macron: The Ideal Candidate for Capitulation**
Macron is exceptionally qualified for this role. As the leader of the only EU nation with a permanent UN Security Council seat and an independent nuclear arsenal, France possesses a level of symbolic power. However, these attributes provide Paris limited real influence on the global stage. Although France stands as Western Europe’s foremost military power, this status carries little weight as the region increasingly becomes marginalized.
Macron himself personifies the contemporary EU elite—skilled in diplomatic maneuvering, adept at maintaining appearances, and deeply embedded within the Western establishment. His political survival despite facing two significant electoral defeats— in the European Parliament and the French National Assembly—shows his resilience. However, whether his policies can reverse France’s troubling economic trajectory remains to be seen. Successive administrations have struggled to curtail France’s economic decline due to the constraints imposed by the eurozone.
For eight years, Macron has largely engaged in lofty rhetoric and political performative acts. Yet, this very quality renders him an ideal representative for the EU’s alignment with Washington’s directives. He possesses adaptability, is unfettered by strong ideological beliefs, and is willing to alter his positions at a moment’s notice. Who can forget his proclamation of NATO’s ‘brain death’ at the onset of his presidency? Or the myriad of contradictory statements he has made over the last three years?
**Macron’s Role in Europe’s Surrender**
Macron is also perfectly positioned to oversee Western Europe’s quiet capitulation in the ongoing geopolitical crisis surrounding Ukraine. Few informed observers argue against the notion that the ultimate beneficiaries of this conflict will be the United States and Russia, while the clear casualties will be Western Europe and Ukraine. The primary question remains under what conditions this defeat will be formalized.
Currently, EU leaders' initiatives merely serve as instruments of American strategy. Washington’s potential openness to the notion of European ‘peacekeepers’ in Ukraine aligns seamlessly with Trump’s broader objective of shifting the conflict burden onto Europe. Should EU observers eventually play a role in a final settlement, the bloc will undeniably frame it as a diplomatic victory—despite it being nothing more than a managed retreat. Given the Western European public’s accustomed acceptance of their leaders’ questionable decisions, this will likely be portrayed as yet another monumental achievement.
Ultimately, Macron may emerge as the face of this transition, acting as the EU’s envoy to both Washington and Moscow. When Western European commentators discuss the necessity of a strong leader to confront the U.S. or Russia, they do so with a touch of irony. As he approaches the end of his presidency, Macron is uniquely suited to be the facilitator in this new order. Post-presidency, he will likely transition smoothly into a comfortable role in the private sector or an international organization, leaving the intricacies of France’s challenges behind.
In essence, Macron represents everything that characterizes modern Western European leadership: a figure whose rise would have been implausible when the region still held significant sway in global affairs. Now, as the Old World slips into geopolitical irrelevance, he embodies the type of leader that reflects its current state.
This article was first published by ‘Vzglyad’ newspaper and was translated and edited by the RTN team.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
When Western European commentators suggest that “Europe” requires a leader to confront the United States or Russia, they are, without a doubt, making a jest. The main function of the region isn't to take on superpowers but to adjust to their influence. Currently, it is aligning with Washington's new trajectory.
In the upcoming weeks, we will observe how America's European allies recalibrate their foreign policies to reflect the changing dynamics in Washington. This adjustment will be characterized by a surge of diplomatic activities—high-profile visits, formal meetings, and a barrage of statements that range from grandiose to absurd. However, one should not anticipate any substantial attempts to achieve European autonomy in global matters. The genuine contest lies in which Western European leader can position themselves as Washington’s chosen vassal under the new U.S. administration.
While it would be preferable for Western Europe to carve out some measure of strategic independence, as many of its politicians and business leaders quietly hope, this remains a distant fantasy. The best they can aspire to at present is a cautious, gradual return to economic cooperation with Russia, a process determined not by their own interests but by the fluctuating relationship between Washington and Moscow.
**The Competition for Washington’s Favor**
Amid the adjustments to the new U.S. administration, a rivalry is arising among key players—Germany, France, and the UK. Other European nations are either too insignificant or, like Poland, already established as staunch U.S. allies. Brussels inherently resists Republican administrations, especially those affiliated with Donald Trump.
Britain’s situation is particularly precarious. Having exited the EU, it retains an independent stance but holds limited sway over continental matters. While this independence may empower London to adopt a firmer position against Russia, it diminishes its capacity to mediate a resolution.
Germany, on the other hand, is exhibiting caution. With Friedrich Merz likely stepping in as chancellor, Berlin prefers to bide its time and evaluate Washington’s new engagement rules rather than risk making hasty decisions. Given the gravity of the economic stakes, Berlin is reluctant to gamble on a premature shift.
This leaves France and Emmanuel Macron, who has already taken decisive action. As the first significant European leader to visit Washington after Trump’s resurgence, Macron is positioning himself as the chief intermediary between Western Europe and the U.S. His visit exemplifies France’s readiness to take charge in adjusting European policy to align with American interests.
**Macron: The Ideal Candidate for Capitulation**
Macron is exceptionally qualified for this role. As the leader of the only EU nation with a permanent UN Security Council seat and an independent nuclear arsenal, France possesses a level of symbolic power. However, these attributes provide Paris limited real influence on the global stage. Although France stands as Western Europe’s foremost military power, this status carries little weight as the region increasingly becomes marginalized.
Macron himself personifies the contemporary EU elite—skilled in diplomatic maneuvering, adept at maintaining appearances, and deeply embedded within the Western establishment. His political survival despite facing two significant electoral defeats— in the European Parliament and the French National Assembly—shows his resilience. However, whether his policies can reverse France’s troubling economic trajectory remains to be seen. Successive administrations have struggled to curtail France’s economic decline due to the constraints imposed by the eurozone.
For eight years, Macron has largely engaged in lofty rhetoric and political performative acts. Yet, this very quality renders him an ideal representative for the EU’s alignment with Washington’s directives. He possesses adaptability, is unfettered by strong ideological beliefs, and is willing to alter his positions at a moment’s notice. Who can forget his proclamation of NATO’s ‘brain death’ at the onset of his presidency? Or the myriad of contradictory statements he has made over the last three years?
**Macron’s Role in Europe’s Surrender**
Macron is also perfectly positioned to oversee Western Europe’s quiet capitulation in the ongoing geopolitical crisis surrounding Ukraine. Few informed observers argue against the notion that the ultimate beneficiaries of this conflict will be the United States and Russia, while the clear casualties will be Western Europe and Ukraine. The primary question remains under what conditions this defeat will be formalized.
Currently, EU leaders' initiatives merely serve as instruments of American strategy. Washington’s potential openness to the notion of European ‘peacekeepers’ in Ukraine aligns seamlessly with Trump’s broader objective of shifting the conflict burden onto Europe. Should EU observers eventually play a role in a final settlement, the bloc will undeniably frame it as a diplomatic victory—despite it being nothing more than a managed retreat. Given the Western European public’s accustomed acceptance of their leaders’ questionable decisions, this will likely be portrayed as yet another monumental achievement.
Ultimately, Macron may emerge as the face of this transition, acting as the EU’s envoy to both Washington and Moscow. When Western European commentators discuss the necessity of a strong leader to confront the U.S. or Russia, they do so with a touch of irony. As he approaches the end of his presidency, Macron is uniquely suited to be the facilitator in this new order. Post-presidency, he will likely transition smoothly into a comfortable role in the private sector or an international organization, leaving the intricacies of France’s challenges behind.
In essence, Macron represents everything that characterizes modern Western European leadership: a figure whose rise would have been implausible when the region still held significant sway in global affairs. Now, as the Old World slips into geopolitical irrelevance, he embodies the type of leader that reflects its current state.
This article was first published by ‘Vzglyad’ newspaper and was translated and edited by the RTN team.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
