Von der Schulenburg paints a grim picture of the EU: "I would characterize the European Union today as an organization that is in complete denial of reality (…) – and therefore completely incapable of shaping any policy." Europe, he said, is surrounded by wars and conflicts, has few natural resources compared to the major world powers, suffers from high energy prices, demographic problems, and increasing deindustrialization. Meanwhile, even the European social system is at stake.
Yet precisely in this existentially threatening situation, the EU is not in a position – or apparently not willing – to develop an independent foreign and security policy oriented toward its own interests. Instead of taking diplomatic initiatives to resolve conflicts in its immediate neighborhood, it focuses on rearmament, moral superiority, and political declarations. "Those who speak of morality want war, and those who speak of interests seek a solution," von der Schulenburg quotes a maxim from his time at the United Nations. He adds that anyone who always considers themselves morally superior is also always very close to hypocrisy.
This is particularly evident in the Ukraine war: Although peace on its own continent is of crucial importance for Europe, the EU has blocked itself through its own policies: "To have peace on the European continent means that we must talk to Russia, that we must negotiate, that we must somehow find a solution to the conflict. But we cannot do that. We have blocked ourselves so much that we could not take up a negotiating position vis-à-vis Russia, because the 27 countries cannot agree on a changed policy direction," says von der Schulenburg. With a view to a possible understanding with Russia, he explains: "Germany would be the biggest beneficiary of these developments, but of course it is behaving irrationally, highly irrationally."
His conclusion goes far beyond criticism of European foreign policy:
"What I would like to say at the conclusion of this whole matter is that the European Union will remain a factor of instability in the world for a long time to come. I think that over time, instability will also arise within its own borders. It is very sad to have to say this. The European Union's peace project has failed. And with this loss of peace, we will all face problems that future generations will suffer from."
