The Old West Is Dead. Europe Must Decide What Comes Next | Mark Leonard

The Global Gambit · Oct 29, 2026 · 39m

“The old West is dead.” Mark Leonard argues that Europe must prepare for a lasting change in its relationship with America — and recognise that it has more power to shape its future than it often believes.

The director and co-founder of the European Council on Foreign Relations joins Pyotr Kurzin to discuss how Europe can sustain Ukraine’s defence, use its leverage over Russia and take responsibility for negotiations over its own security. What would a settlement need to protect Ukraine’s independence, and why does Leonard consider Europe’s failure to maintain direct channels with Putin a…