Former British Prime Minister Sir John Major is pictured in London earlier this month: Stefan Rousseau/PA
Former British Prime Minister Sir John Major said that the isolationist policy of the Donald Trump administration threatens global democracy and could hand global leadership to Russia or China. He said this in an interview with BBC Radio, The Guardian reports.
His comments came against the backdrop of the upcoming US-Russia talks on Ukraine, which were initiated by Donald Trump after a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin.
Is Europe off the table?
Sir John Major’s statements come after the controversial words of US Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, who on Saturday shocked European allies by saying that Europe would not have a seat at the table to end the war.
Against the backdrop of such statements, Major warned that Washington’s abandonment of international leadership creates a vacuum that can be filled by autocratic regimes.
“The United States may bitterly regret handing over the world stage to Russia or China,” the British politician stressed.
Sharp criticism of the US Vice President
Sir John Major also harshly criticised US Vice President JD Vance, whom he called “not a statesman”.
Major accused Vance of hypocrisy, as he criticised European countries for restricting freedom of speech while tolerating Putin’s actions.
“It’s strange to lecture Europe about democracy and freedom of speech while you’re hugging Putin. In his Russia, people who disagree with the authorities disappear, die, flee the country or, with incredible statistical accuracy, fall out of windows in Moscow,” Major said.
The British politician stressed that such a position undermines the authority of the United States as the leader of the free world and sets dangerous precedents for global politics.
Will Europe be left behind?
Western allies express concern about a possible shift in the balance of power following the US-Russia talks. At the same time, European leaders are gathering in Paris to discuss future steps to support Ukraine.
