Europe should establish itself as an independent player in the international arena, rather than tagging along with the US or any other country, Germany’s Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told RT, as he advocated “a new détente” with Moscow.
“We have partners and allies, the Americans amongst them – but we are a continent that must also ensure that we are not a mere appendix of international politics,” Gabriel said.
He went on to argue that Europe has focused mainly on domestic affairs since WWII and in the meantime left the international realm as a matter for the US. However, times have changed and “it is not news” to Germany that the world has become multipolar, he added.
“In the past, we have often said that global politics are what the Americans do. If something goes wrong, we will complain. But I think we need to find our own voice.”