Ex-UK Ambassador to US offers Scathing critique of European leadership

(MENAFN) Former British Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson has issued a sharp critique of Western European leadership, arguing that the region is increasingly “geopolitically impotent” compared with the United States. Writing recently, he contrasted bold US actions in Venezuela and threats over Greenland with the cautious diplomacy of European capitals.

Mandelson stated, “Europe’s growing geopolitical impotence in the world is becoming the issue now, and histrionics about Greenland is confirming this brutal reality.” He highlighted the contrast in decisiveness, noting that US President Donald Trump “has the means and the will,” whereas European leaders do not.

“In Caracas last weekend… Trump did more in a day than orthodox diplomacy was able to achieve in the past decade,” he wrote, referring to the US operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his transfer to the US to face drug trafficking charges. By contrast, the EU issued formal statements calling for “calm and restraint” and a “peaceful solution,” while a group of European leaders defended Greenland as part of Denmark but stopped short of condemning Washington’s ambitions, describing the US instead as an “essential partner.”

According to Mandelson, Europe has long relied on American power and must now consider “how and when the piggybacking stops.” He urged European leaders to assume full military and financial responsibilities “beyond fine words,” a critique that echoes Trump’s repeated calls for NATO members to significantly increase defense spending.

This marks Mandelson’s first major public statement since his dismissal last year over his close ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In recent interviews, he has apologized to Epstein’s victims but has not apologized for his own association, insisting he was unaware of the full extent of the crimes at the time.

Through his commentary, Mandelson underscores ongoing debates in Europe about strategic autonomy, warning that cautious diplomacy risks leaving Western nations sidelined in global decision-making while the US pursues bold unilateral initiatives.

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