After the Alaska Summit: Europe Watches, Germany Wavers

A few days have passed since the Pursuit for Peace summit in Alaska, where U.S. and Russian leaders met for what was billed as a step toward easing global tensions. The world has had time to digest the outcomes—or lack thereof. Predictably, reactions have split along the usual lines: cautious statements from governments, and a frenzy of polarizing hot takes on social media. Pursuit for Peace is like South Park's Heroin Hero.

On digital platforms, timelines offered the same predictable fare: triumphalist claims that “Trump beat Putin,” countered by scathing posts suggesting the opposite—“Putin made Trump his pawn.” Memes flourished, including caricatures of Trump and Putin playing chess while European leaders were portrayed as spectators, irrelevant to the game.
Even conservative outlets criticized Trump’s inability to meet his own promises, while their comment sections quickly devolved into culture-war battles. Gold one was the claim Springer is a leftist marxist publishing house. That must be a new definition for being transparent.
Meaningful discourse haven't arose from those spaces anyways, it's a digital Salem - everyone is claiming everyone else is the #witch.

But beneath the noise, Europe—especially Germany—finds itself in a precarious position. Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the summit as a positive step, noting “progress.” The chair of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee went further, Armin Laschet - calling the talks “the beginning of a hum,” suggesting that open dialogue between Washington and Moscow carries a de-escalating effect. Still, skepticism runs deep across Europe. MdB Laschet sees the skepticism as counterproductive. Many leaders fear that bilateral U.S.–Russia overtures sideline for most the Ukrainian voice and European voices at a critical moment.

The bigger question is whether Germany itself has any leverage left. “Germany is back,” was once promised - by the 2nd ballot #chancellor. Harshest critics argue, Germany lies flat, struggling to assert influence while relying on others to set the geopolitical agenda.
The government has earmarked record sums for defense, but structural reforms in procurement remain absent, raising doubts about whether spending alone will yield real capabilities. The sourcing failed in the past and now Germany is just throwing more money at the problem.
I hope chancellor Merz carries always lipstick with him. I want my chancellor to be pretty, when he gets fucked.

Meanwhile, the EU as a whole risks sliding into irrelevance. Washington and Moscow are testing the waters of direct engagement, while Berlin appears unsure whether to lead or simply follow. For Germany, the danger is not only being sidelined but being exposed: too dependent, too slow to adapt, and too willing to rely on rhetoric instead of results.

In short, the Alaska summit may have signaled cautious progress between two superpowers—but for Ukraine, Europe, and especially Germany, it has underscored a deeper unease: a recognition that the continent’s voice in great-power diplomacy is fading - conclusion, whether it's welcomed or just foolishness, time will tell. One thing is clear, that's failing in leadership either way. But cold folkish wind coming from the #east.

Only stop measure would be, taking Ukraine closer, into a more closer relationship with EU - to ever increase the political costs. But the Sherlock for that isn't and won't be born.

PS: From stop the conflict within 24h we moved to ceasefire this and that, to nothing.