The former MInister of France did not mince words. “We say ‘no’ to Donald Trump’s views on Gaza and Ukraine, ‘no’ to  his arrogant and destructive policies. The world doesn’t need more shock than we have already.”
 Dominique De Villepin spoke to a roomful of AAPA members gathered in the Bloomberg auditorium on February 14, 22 years to the day of his impassioned speech at the UN General Assembly against US intentions to invade Iraq.
On Gaza, and Trump’s announced plans to turn the Palestinians out of the region and create another resort in its place, de Villepen said, “Trump does not take into account the Palestinians in understanding the MIdle East…he has never seen a Palestinian in his life.” He criticized what he called the “aggressive and disruptive attitude of the US” and predicted this attitude would bring about an increase in terrorism and economic instability.
On Ukraine, de Villepin said peace negotiations appeared to be leaning towards Russian President Vladimir Putin’s playbook.  “Donald Trump is on which side?” he wondered, claiming Trump is a “victim of his own narcissism; he has to deliver to Putin.” He added that European nations would protest strongly against Putin’s demands that Ukraine be prohibited from joining NATO.
Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s extreme right-wing, has been close to Putin, de Villepin noted, pointing out her RN party’s proposals have been linked to Trump. But Marine Le Pen, he says, is experienced, and  “she’s not betting on Donald Trump…the US will be isolated.”
 “Reality is dying in the US,” he opined, adding he thinks it is clear Europe can no longer rely on the US as a partner, or count on NATO stability  as a given,  because “NATO is 65% US.”
“Europe should declare a state of emergency” de Villepin suggested, with  leaders  grouping together to form an operational network (beyond defense and AI)  because of the many risks and challenges facing the EU at the moment.
“Donald Trump will have to face consequences,” he said, “and it won’t take long…Time is on Europe’s side.”
-photo by Thomas Haley