Europe Should Form a New Confederation That Includes Russia Rather Than Marginalizes It
Source: The American Conservative. "A Proposal for a New European Order - The American Conservative." February 18, 2026. www.theamericanconservative.com
The Gist
The author argues that after the Ukraine war ends, Europe should create a new kind of union that focuses only on essential shared needs like defense and energy, keeps countries sovereign, and treats Russia as a partner instead of an enemy. This would replace the current EU, which the author sees as an undemocratic bureaucracy that Europeans don't really support.
Conclusion
Europe should establish a new confederation structure that focuses on shared core interests, maintains national sovereignty, and includes Russia as a partner rather than an adversary
Premises
- The current EU is an artificial bureaucratic construct that lacks popular support and democratic legitimacy among European peoples
- Europe's historical diversity (cultural, religious, linguistic, ethnic) requires a middle way between federal state and loose confederation
- A new confederation should focus only on genuine common interests: defense, energy, infrastructure, and border security
- Including Russia as a partner with shared traditional values would be more effective than continued marginalization
- The confederation should limit both Chinese influence and excessive American influence while maintaining NATO cooperation
- National sovereignty should be preserved through member states, with no common European citizenship above national citizenship
Assumptions
- The war in Ukraine will eventually end and require a new European order
- Russia shares enough traditional values with Europe to be a viable partner
- European peoples prefer national sovereignty over deeper integration
- A multipolar world order is emerging that requires new institutional arrangements
- The current EU structure is fundamentally flawed and cannot be reformed