FLASH
Shkruar nga Paolo Mastrolilli
Fiona Hill, the former director for Europe and Russia at the US National Security Council, has issued a strong warning about the international situation.
She says the world is "sleepwalking" towards a global conflict that could turn into World War III. According to her, the United States is trying to involve European countries in this conflict.
She raises doubts about the decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil and the interests that may be hidden behind it. In the interview, Hill criticizes the Trump administration's approach to Ukraine and relations with allies. According to her, European countries should understand the situation and decide for themselves whether they want to get involved in this conflict.
What impact does the war in Iran have on Ukraine, starting with the decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil?
The rise in oil prices helps Moscow because it gives it more money to finance the invasion. But the question is whether it is really able to exploit this situation.
Russia can ramp up production at low cost, but it is not certain that it can find buyers. Moreover, Putin's real problem now is the severe recruitment crisis.
How do you judge the decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil?
Some see this as a betrayal of our allies. The suspicion is that this is related to shared economic interests with Moscow in the Persian Gulf region, not just the need to curb rising oil prices.
But isn't Russia providing intelligence to Iran?
Yes, but the answer here is that the US is also doing the same thing with Ukraine, so in a way we are on the same level. The decision was made at the highest levels after the recent meeting in Florida between the US envoy Witkoff and the Russian envoy Dmitriev. So it could be a step taken to satisfy Putin's demands while negotiating other things.
For what things?
About economic deals with Russia, which Trump has spoken openly about on several occasions. This is not about peace or a resolution of the conflict that takes into account the rights and aspirations of the Ukrainian people, or the consequences for the new security architecture for all.
Is this the reason Trump accuses Zelensky of being an obstacle to ending the war?
Because he doesn't give up. Zelensky at this point is a bit like an old lady who owns an apartment in a Trump building and refuses to accept pressure to vacate it so that something else can be built. In this administration, everything has a mercantilist dimension, but in the interests of a certain family or group of people, not the United States. And the same approach applies to everyone, even to friends or allies like Italy. You should be very concerned about this.
How does Putin reconcile this double standard?
On the one hand, he benefits from the money that comes from the increase in oil prices. On the other hand, he hopes that Trump will get stuck in Iran, just as he got stuck in Ukraine. The situations are different, but if you notice, the head of the White House has said many similar things to what the Kremlin has said to justify and manage the intervention.
So is there a risk of a new Vietnam, where the US wins the battles but loses the war?
Exactly.
However, Europeans have complained about the easing of sanctions.
We are sleepwalking towards World War III, or at least towards a conflict that is already global in scope. The US is trying to put the Europeans on the defensive, to draw them into this conflict. You need to understand this and decide what you want to do.
How can Europeans act?
NATO member states should invoke Article 4 to request urgent consultations on the war, its course and objectives. This could be done, for example, based on the missiles launched against Turkey. Once these points are clarified, the Europeans should decide whether they want to enter the conflict or stay out of it.
Lini një Përgjigje