Europe at crossroads: Ukraine leads, U.S. loses role as security guarantor

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"Let’s see how European countries react now. One way or another, they are still oriented towards Washington, waiting for some kind of approval or incentive from the United States," Musienko said.

According to him, European partners have yet to fully grasp that the U.S. may no longer play the role they are accustomed to, including EU countries.

"What role is that? It’s the role of security guarantor, the role of U.S. leadership. Frankly speaking, who led the decision-making process on missile and bomb strikes in the former Yugoslavia? The United States. Whose aviation carried out most of the operations? Also the U.S. 

And who was the driving force behind the Dayton Accords? Again, the U.S. While this may not be the best example of their mediation and peacekeeping efforts, the fact remains," Musienko pointed out.

He also noted that Europe now faces a choice. France and the UK often take the first step, but at a certain stage, they hesitate and wait for Washington’s approval.

"It seems to me that Ukraine is now the main leader in Europe, setting the example. But not everyone is ready to take the necessary steps to follow this leadership. If not for good reasons, then for bad ones — but eventually, this realization will come to our European partners," Musienko stressed.

• American diplomat John Herbst, the 5th U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2003–2006) and Director of the Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council, believes that Putin's goal is to establish effective political control over Ukraine — something that contradicts Trump’s policy.