OREANDA-NEWS. The North Atlantic Alliance is going through a serious crisis and cannot defend Western interests because of Europe, which is increasingly cooperating with Russia and China. A journalist of the Wall Street Journal, William Galston, writes about it.

According to the reporter, the times when European countries "shoulder to shoulder" with the United States openly confronted the Soviet Union cannot be returned, and the initiative of the EU flagships to cooperate not only with Russia, but also with China threatens American influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The journalist notes that the opinion of the White House is of less and less importance for France and Germany.

“Despite strong US objections, Germany completed the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, strengthening its energy dependence on Russia and weakening the beleaguered democracy in Ukraine. Meanwhile, France teamed up with Germany to achieve more a conciliatory position than the United States and most of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe can accept, "he writes.

Galston noted that the position of European states is explained by the desire to conduct politics independently, proceeding from European, and not only American, interests. However, the author insists that the role of Europe in the world arena is solely in the unconditional support of the United States.

"In case anyone missed the point, Macron's finance minister Bruno Le Maire recently said," The United States wants to confront China. The European Union wants to attract China. "If the leaders of the two most powerful powers in Europe are serious about pursuing a policy of neutrality in the growing struggle between the United States and China, this will inevitably lead to negative consequences for transatlantic relations," the journalist said.