“F…, the word” acquires citizenship rights, diplomatic (Update)

(BRUXELLES2) This is one of the most pronounced words today in Brussels. "Fuck" or "F... the word" as one diplomat calls it.

Fuck' the word 'trend today

The word of the Deputy Secretary of State for Europe (*), Victoria Nuland, on the European Union (Fuck the EU), is today on everyone's lips and in every conversation in Brussels (read: When Victoria “fucks” Europe. Or Cow Friendship). The rate of buzz is such to the point that it is in the process of returning its letters of nobility, to a word often pronounced at low masses, or in a compulsive nervousness, even in a habitual way by certain followers of frank speech. Not a meeting, not a press conference where we do not ask the opinion of one, a reaction from the other. And certainly, all the foreign ministers, who meet on Monday in Brussels, will be tested on their knowledge of this term. A Briton denied, however, that it is a term often used in diplomatic corridors. " It's still a very strong term » he specifies, a bit amused by the situation.

US fuck? No way !

Two days before the meeting of foreign ministers, a senior European diplomat had to answer, for long minutes, a good dozen questions from journalists - British and American but also of other nationalities - to find out the reaction after "F ... the word"; each one being more interested than on the bottom. However, he stuck to a single line of conduct: "no comment". Even to my question of whether the correct answer was "Fuck US", he was careful not to go into that area, " This may be your answer. Not ours "... All accompanied by a broad, ironic smile, thus showing that he did not intend to fall into the journalistic "trap" of responding to the United States, but also that this mini-controversy was , in itself refreshing....

A "no comment", with a big smile

At the European Commission, it's the same line of conduct. We don't want to retaliate either and increase the embarrassment of the Americans. The European Commission will not no comment » on this kind of « communications intercepted on principle”, explained Pia Ahrenkilde, the spokeswoman for the Commission, also all smiles. And to add more seriously, wanting to return to the substantive subject. " Our concern is elsewhere, on the ground, to assist the Ukrainians on the ground, to find solutions for Ukraine. It's up to the Ukrainians to decide. But we are here to assist them »

The method, illicit, condemned

If no comment is made, the European Commission has nevertheless condemned, quite discreetly, the method used. " Interception of private communications is not part of our toolkit to help Ukraine ". And to add, on a question from B2: " These kinds of methods are not ours”. However, the European Commission refuses to go further and designate the origin of these "interceptions". The spokesperson declined to say more, also refusing to " comment on the security measures (that are) in place”, in order to mitigate or prevent these leaks.

(Update) A certain family tradition of contempt for Europeans

This "word" does not seem to be mentioned inadvertently. In addition to its familiarity - more regular than one would think in diplomatic and ministerial circles, once the doors are closed - it reflects a singular American contempt for the European Union which was not born in Ukraine. It should be remembered that Victoria Nuland is none other than the wife in town of Robert Kagan, the author of the formula "Americans are from Mars while Europeans are from Venus" in an article published in 2002 “Power and Weakness” thus opposing the Gods of War and Love

(*) Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs