Russia Being Used as a Battering Ram to Destroy Europe by Both US and China, Analyst Claims
In a provocative assessment of current geopolitical dynamics, Ukrainian analyst Valery Pekar has argued that Russia is being instrumentalized by both the United States and China as a tool to weaken and destabilize Europe. According to Pekar, neither Beijing nor Washington views Europe as an independent center of power worthy of equal partnership status, instead treating the continent as a strategic space to be contested and ultimately diminished in global influence.
The analyst’s commentary reflects growing concerns among European policymakers about the continent’s position in an increasingly multipolar world. As the war in Ukraine continues to reshape international relations, questions about Europe’s strategic autonomy and its ability to act independently of major powers have become central to political discourse across the European Union. Pekar suggests that both superpowers, despite their rivalry, share a common interest in preventing Europe from emerging as a unified and assertive global actor.
This perspective gains particular significance when examining the historical context of transatlantic relations. Since the end of World War II, Europe has largely operated under the American security umbrella through NATO, while developing its own economic integration project. However, the post-Cold War assumption that Europe would gradually become a more autonomous strategic player has repeatedly collided with reality. The continent’s dependence on external energy supplies, particularly from Russia, and its reliance on American military protection have remained defining features of European geopolitics.
China’s approach to Europe has evolved significantly over the past two decades. Beijing initially viewed the European Union as a potential counterweight to American hegemony and invested heavily in building economic ties through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative. However, as European governments have become more skeptical of Chinese investments in critical infrastructure and more aligned with Washington on issues like technology competition and human rights, Beijing’s strategy appears to have shifted. Some analysts argue that China now sees a weakened and divided Europe as more advantageous to its interests than a strong European partner that might join the United States in containing Chinese influence.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine serves as a crucial case study for understanding these dynamics. The war has forced European nations to dramatically increase defense spending, diversify energy sources away from Russian supplies, and accept millions of Ukrainian refugees. While these developments have in some ways strengthened European unity, they have also exposed deep divisions within the bloc about how to respond to Russian aggression and how to balance relations with both Washington and Beijing. The economic costs of sanctions and energy transition have strained European economies, potentially weakening the continent’s long-term competitive position.
American policy toward Europe under successive administrations has oscillated between calls for greater European defense burden-sharing and concerns about European strategic autonomy undermining NATO cohesion. The Trump administration’s transactional approach to allies and the Biden administration’s focus on great power competition with China have both, in different ways, raised questions about America’s long-term commitment to European security. Critics argue that Washington benefits from a Europe that remains dependent on American protection while lacking the unified political will to act independently on the global stage.
Pekar’s analysis ultimately raises fundamental questions about Europe’s future role in international affairs. As the global order continues to shift toward a system defined by US-China competition, European leaders face difficult choices about how to maintain strategic relevance while managing relationships with both superpowers. The continent’s response to these challenges will likely determine whether Europe can emerge as a genuine third pole in global politics or whether it will continue to serve as a contested space where external powers pursue their interests at European expense. The coming years will be decisive in shaping this outcome.
