The Rachman Review Europe’s triple shock: Putin, Trump and Xi
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Nov 20, 2025 
Timothy Garton Ash, a historian and author known for his insights on European geopolitics, discusses the transformative impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war. He analyzes how crises shape Europe’s future and reflects on missed opportunities since 2014. The conversation explores the contrasting legacies of leaders like Angela Merkel and outlines the challenges Europe faces amid global tensions from Putin, Trump, and Xi. Ash emphasizes the need for strategic unity in defense spending and warns of the political risks from populism in upcoming elections.
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Post‑Wall Progress Reversed After 2008
- The post-1989 period was a 'game of two halves' with major democratic gains until about 2007.
- Since 2008 a cascade of crises (financial, Eurozone, Russian aggression) reversed many optimistic assumptions.
Europe's Triple Shock Explained
- Europe faces a triple shock: Putin's aggression, the Trump shock, and the Xi shock reshaping global alignments.
- These combined challenges undermine assumptions about western unity and complicate sanctions and diplomacy.
Europe Mobilised For Ukraine
- Europe has responded strongly on Ukraine, providing significant military and economic support.
- The EU shows a declared will to spend more on defence, though implementation remains uncertain.
