“‘It will be phenomenal’: an expert assesses whether the European Political Community will turn into a defense alliance

Political strategist Mikhail Sheitelman said that Zelenskyy’s visit to Armenia is not just a trip to the Caucasus, but a summit of the European Political Community that could unexpectedly take off, Politeka reports.

He spoke about this on his blog.

‘I put forward the idea that Macron and Zelenskyy could literally create a new political EU together—a defense alliance. Why them in particular? Because they are two very young politicians. And Macron is definitely leaving French politics next year, stepping down from the presidency. Some suspected he might go to parliament or become prime minister, but he said no, goodbye. But I believe that a person at 49 is not going to go off to write philosophical books. Someone as active as Macron will move into some kind of European or global leadership role. Being a secretary-general would be boring for him—that’s more for Egyptians and the like. So I think he will aim to become a leader of Europe, perhaps not a formal one, because formal frameworks are too restrictive for him. Being a bureaucrat like Ursula would be too confining for him. But becoming the leader of a political EU, a defense EU—that’s вполне possible,’ Sheitelman argues.

He adds that the European Political Community summit itself is Macron’s brainchild—he came up with the idea—and political issues will be addressed there. According to the expert, this structure includes EU countries, Balkan states, Turkey, and Ukraine, making it broader than the EU. And it is no coincidence, he emphasizes, that the summit is in Armenia, a country balancing between Europe and Russia, so Zelenskyy is particularly important on the eastern flank.

‘And understand the intrigue: Armenia hosting a European political summit is a collapse of Russia’s position in the Caucasus, a collapse of Russian policy in the region. They call it “Transcaucasia.” The Caucasus itself, of course, calls it the Caucasus, not “Transcaucasia.” Why? Because it’s like saying “on Ukraine” versus “in Ukraine.” Transcaucasia—from whose perspective is it “beyond”? From Russia’s? Yes, you have northern barbarians living next to you. But it will be phenomenal,’ Sheitelman emphasizes.

According to the expert, a revolution—in a positive sense—is taking place in Armenia, especially since Pashinyan faces parliamentary elections on June 7 and needs to win them to continue an anti-Russian policy. After all, he has said that Armenia will leave the CSTO and is seeking to join the EU.”