Introduction
Jeffrey Sachs delivered a comprehensive and passionate speech at the European Parliament addressing Russia-Ukraine relations, US foreign policy, and Europe’s role in global geopolitics. The speech, titled “Jeffrey Sachs Roaring Ukraine Speech At EU Parliament; Blasts U.S., Says ‘Not Putin’s Puppet'”, presents a critical analysis of the Ukraine conflict from Sachs’s perspective as someone with decades of experience advising governments in Eastern Europe, including Russia and Ukraine.
US Foreign Policy and NATO Expansion
Sachs argues that US foreign policy since 1991 has been driven by a unipolar worldview, with NATO expansion eastward as a deliberate strategy. He states:
- The US decided after the Soviet Union’s collapse that it “ran the world” and didn’t need to respect other nations’ security concerns or international obligations
- NATO expansion was a long-term project beginning in the 1990s, despite what he describes as promises made to Gorbachev that NATO would not move “one inch eastward”
- The expansion continued in waves: first to Poland, Hungary, and Czech Republic (1999), then to seven more countries including the Baltic states (2004)
- Putin’s critical 2007 Munich Security Conference speech was followed by US push for Ukrainian and Georgian NATO membership
The Ukraine Conflict
Sachs presents his perspective on the Ukraine war’s origins:
- He claims the 2014 Maidan revolution was supported by the US as a “regime change operation”
- The Minsk agreements, which would have provided autonomy for Russian-speaking regions, were not implemented
- Russian security concerns about missile systems near their borders were ignored
- Putin’s December 2021 security proposals were rejected by the US
- The war began as an attempt to force Ukraine to negotiate neutrality, which Sachs claims almost happened within weeks before Ukraine withdrew from negotiations
Europe’s Position
Sachs is deeply critical of Europe’s approach to the conflict:
- Europe has “no foreign policy” beyond following US leadership
- European leaders confuse NATO with Europe, allowing NATO to dictate European foreign policy
- Europe should develop its own security structure independent of NATO and the US
- European officials should engage directly with Russia rather than allowing the US to mediate
Trump and Future Prospects
On the future of the conflict, Sachs suggests:
- Donald Trump will likely end the war because “Trump doesn’t want to carry a loser”
- Europe should prepare for negotiations and develop an independent policy
- The war will likely end soon with territorial concessions and Ukrainian neutrality
- There could be a restoration of nuclear arms negotiations
Other Global Issues
Sachs connects the Ukraine situation to other global conflicts:
- Middle East conflicts, particularly Israel-Palestine, where he advocates for a two-state solution
- Relations with China, which he describes as “not an enemy, just a success story”
- Nuclear arms control framework, which he believes the US undermined by abandoning treaties
Conclusion
Sachs concludes with a vision for Europe and global politics:
- Europe should establish its own foreign policy independent of both the US and NATO
- European nations should directly negotiate with Russia to establish lasting security arrangements
- He advocates for a world of “peace and abundance” enabled by technological progress
- The concept of “finlandization” (neutrality) for countries between great powers is presented as a viable model for security
Key Takeaways
- The Ukraine conflict stems from decades of NATO expansion eastward against Russian security concerns
- Europe needs its own foreign policy independent of US leadership
- Direct negotiations with Russia are essential for European security
- Neutral status for countries between great powers can be a successful model (citing Finland and Austria)
- Peace is achievable if nations focus on mutual interests rather than military confrontation
- Technology and cooperation could enable global prosperity if geopolitical tensions are reduced
