Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair warned that Europe could find itself unable to prevail in a conflict with Russia if it loses the backing of the United States, saying British leaders should preserve their alliance with President Donald Trump.
“If we get drawn into a conflict without the support of America, we don’t win,” Blair told “Saturday in America” host Kayleigh McEnany.
“This is an essential relationship,” he continued. “And the reason why I thought we should have supported President Trump when he asked for the use of our bases is in circumstances where your ally is an indispensable part of your security, and they come asking for help, it’s wise to give it to them.”
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Blair, who served as Britain’s prime minister from 1997 to 2007, called the U.S.-U.K. relationship “an essential” part of the West’s security as European nations debate the threat Russian President Vladimir Putin could pose to NATO countries.
While Blair personally believes Putin poses no real threat to countries outside of Ukraine, he acknowledged that others across Europe hold a different belief.
“I might be wrong [about Putin]. And there are a lot of people in Europe who think he’s got malicious intent towards NATO countries,” he said.
Blair’s comments come as some European leaders have raised their voices in concern over Russia, including after one recent instance in which an explosives-laden drone was discovered near a Ukrainian cargo plane at an airport in Germany.
A series of other events — including airspace violations, arson and more — have similarly raised eyebrows and pointed toward escalation, per USA Today.
The U.S. and European nations continue to seek ways to bolster Ukraine’s defense and deter Russia while refraining from complete involvement in the conflict.
