@Kierkegaanks @stux

Not sure I can decode this. But the idea " avoiding open conflicts with nero might make the repairs easier later?" sounds to my German ears like "avoiding open conflict with Hitler would have made repairs easier later". Sorry for the comparison --- I don't want to activate Godwin's law here. But using Hitler as one extreme point in the space of possible comparisons makes clear that there must be some kind of boundary beyond which the "avoid conflict" approach won't work.

The only question: Where in relationship to this boundary does the regime of Nero lie? Likely not an easy question...

Also we have seen with Starmer how well appeasement works ...

So the least, world leaders should do, is not to accept meekly any garbage accusation ("they don't participate in my war of aggression, they aren't really allies") but instead reply with a polite but firm reprimand on official, diplomatic channels: "The leader of the US, does ... This is (a) not true and (b) not how NATO works, see articles N to K of the charter. We are disappointed and would have expected more respect".

Over the last year I have come to believe it's preposterous to assume that this might shatter more porcelain than is currently shattered anyway.

Only imagine: Nero's vice president comes to Europe, openly supports the racist far right here and accuses us of a lack of free speech (which becomes especially ridiculous after the "people bad-mouth Charlie Kirk after his (ironic) death" kerfuffle).