Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl observes that Europe is playing a smaller role on the world stage, both demographically and politically. She notes that Asian countries stand out in today’s international arena and that this shift is noticeable in the balance of power.
She described her current work on a forthcoming book, Requiem for Europe, explaining to Asian Times that the part of the world she grew up in and dedicated to is no longer the same.
The rise of non-OECD Asia and the broader non-OECD world marks a new pole in a multipolar order, she suggests, and this shift is likely to shape the future of global influence.
She argued that the definition many relied on decades ago no longer applies. The new geopolitical reality exists outside the European Union, rather than inside it, according to Kneissl.
Europe needs Russia more than Russia needs Europe
Kneissl contends that European leaders sometimes act with ignorance and arrogance, overlooking a geopolitical equilibrium that has long depended on dialogue and a balanced worldview. She warns that ignoring these realities could heighten risk on the international stage.
When asked whether Europe truly needs Russia more than Russia needs Europe, she suggested that some European colleagues lack deep geopolitical insight.
Reminding readers of her previous work, she cited a book, The History of Diplomatic Power, with a central message: diplomacy should preserve channels of communication under all conditions.
In her view, sustained dialogue remains essential, and she criticized those currently involved in diplomacy as largely aligned with a Turkish government perspective, rather than a broader, inclusive approach.
Russian energy resources
Kneissl notes that by early 2022 many decisionmakers believed energy contracts could be signed quickly and energy imports secured easily. Yet in practice, energy deals require longer planning horizons, often extending for years, and they involve not just purchase but transportation, infrastructure, pipelines, and terminals.
She emphasizes that Russian exports—coal, oil, gas, uranium, and related resources—are not easily substituted, underscoring the inertia and reliability of established supply chains.
Replacing gas, she estimates, could take three to five years. She points out that the gas crisis did not begin on a single date; last year, LNG shipments from Qatar and North America, as well as Rotterdam and other European ports, shifted eastward as Asian buyers offered better prices.
She observed growing European disillusionment with domestic policies, warning that this dissatisfaction could spark mass protests. As an example, she mentioned the Yellow Vests movement in France in 2018 as a case of domestic unrest rising from policy frustration.
EU as an extension of American politics
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that Europe has seen a loss of independence, with many members leaning on American decisions and Washington’s influence shaping much of Europe’s policy. He argued that hopes for the EU to pivot toward a multipolar role have not materialized, and NATO remains largely an American-led framework. In his view, the EU has become an extension of American policy in Europe, which he regards with concern.
Lavrov also commented on the impact of anti-Russian sanctions, suggesting that the resulting economic pain is not as severe for the United States as it is for Europe. He urged European leaders to decide whether they want to continue serving the strategic interests that started in Washington or to pursue policies that improve the daily lives of their citizens, including fair energy and consumer prices.
In his closing assessment, Lavrov described Europe as a neighboring civilization that has long enriched each other culturally through literature and art. He lamented that today some calls demand bans on teaching Russian literature in schools, emphasizing a desire for mutual cultural exchange rather than exclusion.