“Trump and Putin Did a Lot for European Identity”

Theresa Kuhn, who leads the Europe program at the University of Amsterdam, suggests that former leaders Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have played an unexpected role in strengthening European identity. She argues that their actions and rhetoric have, paradoxically, fostered a greater sense of unity among Europeans.

Kuhn, speaking in an interview with "Presse," elaborated that while Europeans may increasingly identify as such, this growing self-awareness does not automatically translate into greater open-mindedness towards others. The sense of shared identity is distinct from an embrace of broader inclusivity.

Her analysis points to a complex dynamic where external political figures, through their perceived challenges to the European order, have inadvertently solidified a collective European consciousness. This development, she implies, is a significant, albeit unintended, consequence of their foreign policy approaches.