US To Welcome Russia Back into G8
The recent shift in US foreign policy has significant consequences on the European Union and its partners
Article by Jasper Wiggins
Image: Royal United Services Institue (RUSI)
Warming US-Russian Relations
Consequences for the European Union and NATO
Australian Political Analysis Review - Open Source Independent Education
US President Trump's aspiration to welcome the Russian Federation back into the Group of Eight has come after a 'Minerals Deal', pursued in exchange for military aid, which was refused by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Group of Eight is a multilateral forum harbouring a space for the top eight economies to meet and hold discussions.
To a large degree, the shift away from isolating Russia underscores a profound change in United States foreign policy and the rejection of partnership exclusively with allied nations. Indeed, while this change may be perceived as apart of Trump's commitments to 'ending the war' made to supporters throughout the 2024 election campaign, one cannot turn a blind eye toward Trump's disapproval with the European Union's 'lacklustre' approach to defence spending.
Trump's disapproval with the European Union stems from a sequence of discussions held with European NATO leaders in 2018. Trump's invitation for Russia to rejoin the multilateral forum may serve as a push for European states to independently fund their own military capabilities if they are to break with the United States and continue arming Ukraine. This comes in light of the disproportionate figure in defence spending between the US and EU. US policymakers,. Although the US remains hellbent on breaking-even with the European Union, they disregard the context in which NATO exists. While the EU is ultimately at the discretion to pursue a policy of its choosing with Ukraine, the US ought to realise that as the global hegemon, the sum in overseas funding of foreign military capabilities (in Europe) will often outweigh that of EU states.
Consequences for the European Union and NATO
The EU has been pressured into siding with the United States and pursuing a policy of mediation with Russia, or escalating the war. Ultimately, the economic and political bloc has been tasked with maintaining historical ties forged since 1945, or pursuing a largely independent but expensive pathway ahead with risks of direct war with Russia.
Mediating a resolution to the conflict with Ukraine's sovereignty at the heart of discussion now appears even difficult than ever with Trump's invitation of Russia back into the G8, redeeming the country from its 'rogue-state' like status championed by the Biden administration.
The Social Contract captures the relationship between consent to govern by the individual, and the extent to which the State exercises authority. Both Kant and Locke examine conditional express and tacit consent and how it compares with obliged moral duty. Kant's view towards the role of the State differs from Locke's notion that authority to establish a society is granted by the consent of the majority, rather than constitution. Ultimately, Kant's morally regulative approach challenges Locke, asserting that the empowerment of constitution requires the incorporation of popular obedience, to uphold enforceable legal authority.
Article by Jasper Wiggins
Article by Jasper Wiggins
Article by Jasper Wiggins
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