Jeffrey Sachs Gives A Reality Check On Putin's War: 'Europe Is Killing Ukraine' | Russia | N18G

Summary

Economist Jeffrey Sachs argues that Western policy has prolonged the war in Ukraine and risks further escalation. He recounts urging the Biden administration to accept a commitment that NATO would not expand to Ukraine, but says National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan rejected that approach while privately assuring him that Ukraine would not join NATO. Sachs portrays this as an example of what he sees as incoherent U.S. policy and says Russia’s security concerns should be considered rather than dismissed.

Sachs sharply criticizes European leaders for backing a strategy of defeating Russia. He warns that Ukraine could suffer enormous further losses before Europe’s planned weapons production has an effect, and says threatening a nuclear power with defeat is dangerously misguided. Invoking the Cuban Missile Crisis and John F. Kennedy’s call for restraint, he argues that leaders should avoid forcing Russia to choose between a humiliating retreat and nuclear escalation.

His proposed way to end the fighting is for a European leader to state that NATO will not expand to Ukraine or Georgia, then pursue negotiations. He says Ukraine should be neutral and suggests that a ceasefire could establish a line of control without legally resolving the border dispute. In his view, this would stop the fighting and reduce the danger of a wider or nuclear war.

Sachs also accuses European governments of failing to speak independently of Washington. He criticizes their response to a U.S. attack on Iran, describing the debate at the UN Security Council as focused on condemning Iran rather than questioning the attack. He also condemns U.S. and Israeli policy toward Gaza and argues that Western leaders apply international standards inconsistently.

On Europe’s future, Sachs calls for a strong, strategically autonomous Europe that prioritizes diplomacy, peaceful cooperation, and economic development rather than rearmament. He argues that the EU has become too closely identified with NATO, opposes the alliance, and says Europe should rebuild economic ties with Russia. He claims sanctions have harmed Europe more than Russia, while Russia has developed closer economic ties with China. He warns that military spending will not improve living standards as effectively as investment in civilian economies, education, and industry.

Responding to questions about a changing world order, Sachs rejects rival geopolitical blocs and advocates a “concert of states” that consults to prevent conflict. He points to the 19th-century Concert of Europe and Franklin Roosevelt’s vision of cooperation among major powers as examples. He supports strong regional institutions, including a united Europe, but says they should not be organized around confrontation. He describes the United States, Russia, China, and India as major powers, while arguing that Europe lacks a coherent geopolitical policy.

Sachs also emphasizes the growing economic and demographic importance of developing countries. He says they represent most of the world’s population and a large share of global production, and contends that Western dominance is unlikely to return. He does not expect China to replace the West as a global hegemon, citing its aging and declining population.

Presenters and contributors

• Jeffrey Sachs — speaker and principal contributor.
• Moderator/interviewer — unnamed in the subtitles.
• Audience questioners — including a Slovak participant, a Czech member of the European Parliament, and a participant addressed as Daniel; their full names are not given.