## Accessibility links * Skip to main content * Skip to main Navigation * Skip to Search Next Close Previous Next ![\\"please](\\"/Content/responsive/img/player-spinner.png\\") ![\\"\\"](\\"\\"/) This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal ### Print Options: * Images * Multimedia * Embedded Content * Comments Cancel Print Link has been copied to clipboard * Home * United States U.S. News All About America Silicon Valley & Technology Immigration * World Africa The Americas East Asia Europe Middle East South & Central Asia * Ukraine * Press Freedom * China * Iran * Broadcast Programs ##### Follow Us Languages Search ![\\"site](\\"/Content/responsive/VOA/en-US/img/logo-compact.svg\\") ![\\"site](\\"/Content/responsive/VOA/en-US/img/logo.svg\\") Economy Search ![\\"site](\\"/Content/responsive/VOA/en-US/img/logo-print.gif\\"/) ![\\"site](\\"/Content/responsive/VOA/en-US/img/logo-print_color.png\\"/) Did Western Media Call Russia ‘the Last Hope of the West?’ share * * * Previous Next Breaking News Economy # Did Western Media Call Russia ‘the Last Hope of the West?’ May 17, 2018 9:25 AM ![\\"Russia](\\" Russia - Moscow, Kremlin, symbol, generic, russian president\'s administration Share * * * ![\\"Viktor](\\"\\") #### Viktor Marakhovsky Writer for RIA Novosti “In short, today the question is more relevant than ever: what can save the union [between the U.S. and Europe] now? So far the only answer given is Russia.” Source: RIA Novosti False The article only cites some European leaders expressing concern over their countries’ dependence on the United States. On May 13, the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti published a commentary by Viktor Marakhovsky that was headlined: “European media: Russia has become the West’s last hope.” However, none of the Western sources cited in the article support that headline. First, the author cited a Washington Post op-ed piece by Anne Applebaum about how the end of the Cold War marked the end of “American hegemony.” The main focus of the piece was the Trump administration’s rejection of the Iran nuclear deal brokered by the previous U.S. administration. While Applebaum claimed that rejection of the agreement will drive a wedge between the U.S. and its European allies, she did not suggest the latter might find Russia or any other country to be a suitable replacement for the U.S. ![\\"BELGIUM](\\" BELGIUM -- A view of the new NATO headquarters in Brussels, April 19, 2018 In his RIA Novosti piece, Marakhovsky suggested that the U.S. is using the image of an aggressive Russia to rally its European allies, but that while the latter claim to be concerned about Russian threats, they are in fact increasingly cooperating with Russia. “The EU countries have regularly participated in ‘repel the Russian threat’ political festivals, but at the same time they have expanded economic cooperation with Russia year after year,” Marakhovsky wrote. While it is true that trade between Russia and the EU has increased rapidly since 2017, it steadily decreased from 2012 to 2016. It is unclear if the uptick in trade between Russia and the EU since last year is a lasting trend. Some see the increased trade as a potential trend toward normalization of the trade relationship, despite unresolved issues surrounding Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the conflict in eastern Ukraine. However, new U.S. sanctions are set to go into effect, which could push the trade numbers back down. Moreover, while the U.S. and Germany have disagreements over the construction of the Nord Stream II natural gas pipeline from Russia, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the new pipeline would not be allowed to cut Ukraine out of its role in gas transit to Europe. ![\\"Germany](\\" Germany -- A handout by Nord Stream 2 claims to show the first pipes for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline being delivered by rail to the German logistics hub Mukran on the island of Rugen, undated ## More Entrepreneurship news * ![\\"FILE](\\"\\") #### Cambodia’s new canal could boost trade but risks harming key river * ![\\"A](\\"\\") #### Zimbabwe currency plunges after central bank move to allow more flexibility * #### Oxfam: \'Oligarchy\' of super-rich undermining cooperation to tackle poverty, climate change * #### Harris promises tax breaks, investments for US manufacturers * #### OECD sees global economy \'turning corner\' toward growth ## The Day in Photos * ![\\"An](\\"\\") #### October 1, 2024 ​ Back to top * Follow Us * * * * * * * United States * US News * Immigration * All About America * Silicon Valley & Technology * World * Africa * The Americas * East Asia Pacific * Europe * Middle East * South & Central Asia * Sections * VOA Programs * Special projects * Day in Photos * Press Freedom * Refugees * VOA News on Iran * VOA News on China * Arts & Culture * Economy & Business * Health * Extremism Watch * Student Union * 52 Documentary * Videos * More From VOA * VOAAfrica.com Programs * VOA Learning English * Editorials * About this site * Terms of Use & Privacy Notice * About VOA * Get VOA+ * VOA Around the World * Contact VOA * Media Relations * Usage Requests * VOA Pronunciation Guide XS SM MD LG
In short today the question is more relevant than ever what can save the union between the US and Europe now So far the only answer given is Russia