What about elections in the Republic of Moldova, Mark Gitenstein, former US ambassador to the EU and Romania

The best EU strategy is to adopt a firm position against Russia, while calling on the common security concerns by the White House leader Donald Trump, says Mark Gitenstein, former US ambassador to the European Union and in Romania, in an interview with “Kyiv Post”.

The former diplomat states that Europe must face the Kremlin. Photo: Kyivpost.com

For many in Europe, the return of a more transactional white house nine months ago brought to the discussion familiar questions about transatlantic alliances and the future of Western unity. Mark Gitenstein, former US ambassador to the European Union and counselor of former President Joe Biden, believes that the answer is not in confrontation, but in a sustained diplomatic strategy.

Gitenstein said Europe should maintain its commitment to the Trump administration, even though Washington changes its tactics, in particular, in terms of sensitive topics such as Ukraine, Russia and sanctions.

As the EU faces the prospect of a more unilateral approach from the US, the former ambassador has presented a clear strategy through which Brussels can exert its influence.

Referring to the approach “I will first” Trump's sanctions, by which the US seems to ask for the EU to act before Washington, Gitenstein avoided speculating on the motivations of the White House, but stressed that there is a place for a cooperative approach.

He mentioned three key countries that “They begin to align”: Turkey, Slovakia and Hungary.

“Turkey in the NATO context, and Slovakia and Hungary in the context of the European Union, all three are countries whose leaders have a very good relationship with Donald Trump. So maybe Donald Trump could raise the phone and ring these three leaders, which would be helpful.” He stated during the interview given to the publication “Kyiv Post”.

Gitenstein has also supported a more firm European position on Russian energy.

“It would be good if all three countries, Slovakia, Turkey and Hungary, would support the position of US and EU, which is to stop all energy sales in Russia. I think this would have a major impact on the war effort, because from there it comes much of Russia's money for the war machine.” he explained.

He also drew attention to a major institutional obstacle: according to the current EU rules, a single Member State can block a decision on sanctions because the unanimous consensus is required. For this reason, Gitenstein pleaded for a structural change in the Union's decision -making process.

“Something that the EU should take into account in the long term is the modification of the treaties so that this field of policy does not require unanimity, but can be decided by a qualified majority. This would be a major reform that should be considered. I know it is difficult to do, but it is likely to be done.” he added.

This pragmatic approach to the relationship between the US and the EU also reflected in the general evaluation of the current administration.

Before a meeting of world leaders who will take place next week in New York, Gitenstein advised the EU to continue a strategy he called “Very smart and, I think, very effective.”

He considers that there is a common ground in the strategic recognition of the main rival.

“I understand that he acknowledged what Biden, and Obama acknowledged: that the People's Republic of China is at this moment the greatest threat to the national security of the West.” the former diplomat also explained.

Former ambassador stressed that priority for Europe and US is “Be on the same wavelength in terms of how they use strategic economic means”, Especially given that together it controls 40% of the global GDP.

This unit, he says, should be demonstrated by a common front in trade and security.

“The best way is to be on the same page in terms of sanctions, Ukraine, threats generated by China's mercantilistic efforts to manipulate both our economies and democracies. I believe that what he is trying to do, both in the trade and in Ukraine, is very intelligent, and must continue to convince him in the same direction. line”, Detaled the diplomat.

“Deliberate” drones near Romania

Asked about drones near Romania, Gitenstein, former American ambassador and Bucharest, said, based on intuition, that they were “Deliberate” and highlighted two major concerns.

The first is the lack of appropriate military technology. “It seems, from the perspective of an ordinary man, a little ridiculous that the only way to respond to drones is to mobilize F-16 or F-35 … it is somewhat ridiculous. We clearly need technology.”Gitenstein said.

The second concern, “Just as important,” “ It is the use of social networks for misinformation. He mentioned a successful attempt of Russia to “Convince the Poles that these drones came from Ukraine,” “ considering this an important lesson for the whole union.

According to Gitenstein, the European Commission has “A special responsibility” to apply the law of digital services to impose media platforms to be more transparent on how they are used.

He ended with a clear warning: “If we do not know what the truth is about national security, we will never be able to defend NATO or Europe.”

About the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova

The emphasis on the digital space also reflected in its recommendations for the parliamentary elections of September 28 in the Republic of Moldova, where he considers that the West must defend the democracy and the rule of law.

Gitenstein has stressed that the EU must ensure that the law of digital services is applied to be able to detect any foreign manipulations of the media by military means.

At the end he said that “It all depends on the Moldovan people”but emphasized the importance that the electoral debate be carried by “true Moldovans”, and not by “A lot of boots working from a Russian farm,” According to the media source quoted.