Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1533084
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 MARCH 2025 ANALYSIS > FROM PREVIOUS PAGE In fact, bizarrely, when fac- ing a local audience, Abela is keener on stressing neutrality from the EU, of which we are a member, than on support- ing its increased independence from both the USA and Russia. A less parochial leader than Abela may plausibly argue that the emergence of the EU as an independent political and mil- itary actor is more in line with the spirit of our neutrality than the subservience to the two powers which our Constitution is meant to avoid. Muddying the waters Yet, in doing so, Abela risks muddying the waters by linking neutrality to defence spend- ing. Malta's Constitution does not prevent increased defence spending of any kind, nor does it differentiate between lethal and non-lethal weapons. It even allows military interven- tion and the use of Malta by other powers in actions au- thorised by the UN Security Council. The real issue with neutrality is that it currently lacks the se- curity guarantees Mintoff him- self tried to secure in the 1980s. It may also prevent Malta from cooperating with other EU states to enhance its defences – especially in light of Russia des- ignating Malta as an "unfriend- ly nation" due to its support for EU sanctions. This puts Malta in a difficult position: it risks becoming a target of an aggres- sive power aggrieved by EU de- cisions, without being shielded by stronger neighbours. To save face with militants in his party, Abela later claimed that before signing the decla- ration, he had told EU leaders that Malta would not invest in lethal weapons – a largely sym- bolic gesture that likely trou- bled no one. He also doubled down by say- ing that Malta would not avail itself of funds for such weap- ons. What remains unclear is whether he intends to use new EU funding opportunities to modernise Malta's defence ca- pabilities. The worms out of the woodwork Abela's insistence that "the solution to wars is not weapons but dialogue" is a politically safe, almost Catholic, approach that allows him to maintain a clear conscience while not obstructing the EU's broader strategic shift. But this rhetoric comes at a cost. It risks fostering an iso- lationist, anti-EU sentiment within the Labour Party, dis- tancing it from mainstream centre-left politics in Europe, which is firmly on Ukraine's side and in favour of increased defence spending. Abela's recent foreign policy positions have only deepened the divide between those who align Malta's stance with the international rule of law and those who maintain a soft spot for autocrats – or at least wish to stay in their good graces. In fact, on social media, Ab- ela's comments were often accompanied by supporters' derogatory remarks against Zelenskyy and praise for Trump, whose emphasis on peace based on compromise by both sides, including Ukraine, is uncannily similar to Abela's verbal stance. There is even a possibili- ty that Abela is placating the Trump presidency. He is not alone. Within the EU, some al- so view rearmament as a way of appeasing Trump, who fre- quently criticises European al- lies for low military spending. However, the reality is that many in Europe now recognise the growing divide between the EU and the US in terms of fun- damental values, including in their outlook towards autocra- cies. This is why Malta urgent- ly needs a serious debate on its neutrality and foreign policy. So far, Abela's contributions have only served to make things murkier. Placating the Trump presidency Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (centre) shaking hands with French President Emmanuel Macron as Czechia Prime Minister Petr Fiala looks on. EU leaders held a roundtable discussion with Zelenskyy. (Photo: EU)