Washington and Paris Confrontation: From Ukraine War to the Statue of Liberty

The U.S. and Europe’s disparity on the war in Ukraine has now transcended policy and diplomacy, extending to the Statue of Liberty. A French representative has requested that Washington return it to Paris as a historical symbol. However, Trump has said in a harsh tone that he will talk with Putin about the crisis in Ukraine and the U.S.’s scheme for peace. This contact can evoke the anger of European leaders more than ever.

Nournews: The dispute between the U.S. and Europe has reached a point where a representative from the French parliament has proposed the return of the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of protest against Washington’s policies. In contrast, the White House has responded with a harsh tone and reminded Europe of the U.S.’s role in the history of World War. Is the symbolic dispute a sign of a wide gap between the countries on both sides of the Atlantic?

Statue of Liberty: A Symbol of Cooperation or Dispute?

The Statue of Liberty, which was donated to the U.S. in 1884, has always been a symbol of unity and common values in the fields of democracy and freedom of speech. However, it has become a tool for criticizing American policies. Remarks by Raphaël Glucksmann, a French representative and one of the major supporters of Ukraine, show that disputes between Europe and Trump’s administration over the war in Ukraine have reached the boiling point. He has accused the U.S. of a “betrayal of values” and called for the return of the Statue of Liberty—a message that carries political significance rather than being a realistic possibility.

The Shadow of the Ukraine War on Washington-Europe Ties

The root of the dispute traces back to the shift in the U.S.’s approach toward the war in Ukraine. Donald Trump seeks to reduce support for Kyiv and begin direct negotiations with Russia in the absence of Ukraine. The decision has caused concerns among European countries, which still insist on the continuation of the war and military support for Ukraine. In the meantime, France, which has been one of the main supporters of Ukraine since the beginning of the war, thinks Trump’s approach is a betrayal of Western commitments.

The reaction of the White House spokesperson to Glucksmann’s remarks shows that Washington sees the critics from a confrontational perspective. The statement that “the French must be thankful to Americans because if it were not for the United States, they would be speaking German” somehow points to the role of the U.S. in WWII. However, the harsh tone itself indicates that tensions between the two countries are very high.

Europe and the U.S.: Widening Gaps

It is not the first time that the deep dispute between the U.S. and Europe over foreign policies has become obvious. During Trump’s first tenure, disputes over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), NATO, and transactional trade led to tensions many times. Now, the war in Ukraine has become a new battlefield for this dispute. Europeans are worried that if U.S. support decreases, NATO will weaken, and Russia will gain superiority. On the other hand, Trump is seeking to prioritize U.S. interests and reduce international costs.

In line with this, according to Trump’s announcement, he is supposed to talk with Vladimir Putin today (March 18) about the Ukraine crisis and Moscow’s approach regarding the truce suggested by the U.S. over a telephone call.

The telephone call is expected to trigger strong reactions in Europe because many European leaders are concerned about Trump’s negotiations with Moscow in the absence of Ukraine.

Remarks by Glucksmann and the White House’s reaction are just part of a deeper gap between the two parties. The tensions could impact other topics, including Russia sanctions, trade ties, and military cooperation in the future.

While the Statue of Liberty will remain in New York, tensions between the U.S. and Europe may not ease anytime soon.

The dispute over the war in Ukraine has extended to one of the historical symbols of unity between the U.S. and France. While Europe worries about the reduction of Washington’s support for Kyiv, Trump’s administration emphasizes the priority of U.S. interests. The telephone contact between Trump and Putin could further intensify tensions between the U.S. and its European allies. The gap between Europe and the U.S. could not only affect the war in Ukraine but also reshape the structure of the international order.