Steven, I made this point about Le Pen and the AfD as recently as yesterday. It's a huge concern for Ukraine and of course it is, or should be, for us too. I think we do need closer trading ties with the EU notwithstanding and restoring freedom of movement, at least for the under-30s is still desirable and could be extended further in time.However, to suggest that America is a more reliable ally is well wide of the mark. Trump has shown his utter disregard for Europe, including us, sees a tri-polar world of him, Putin and Xi, with no place for the Europeans. Would he really come to our defence if the Russians started cutting our undersea cables, etc? I seriously doubt it. can he be relied on for anything that does not involve personal or political gain?Geographically and geopolitically, we are closer to Europe and I think we are stuck with them whether we like it or not. Governments come and go. Orban got voted out. Extreme right wing governments are not inevitable, or everlasting if they gain power.Everybody, except Le Pen, the AfD and a few other extreme (and, let us not forget, anti-semitic) right wing parties, sees Russia as Europe's number one threat. Maybe it will dawn on them once they gain power and find that Russia continues to undermine and divide their countries. The AfD think Germany's economy can be revived if they start buying Russian gas again. That is surely a new dependency they would come to regret.
Jonathan Callaway ● 7d