Europe at crossroads

It is about reformatting not only security structures or international institutions like the UN, it is about forming new alliances and sealing new agreements, which will be based on completely unexpected, yet, very rational and balanced principles.

We often complain that "Europe does not hear us", that "Brussel is guided primarily by mercantile principles", but these claims are actually meaningless.

Above all: why "Europe does not hear us"? Because it really can't hear itself.

“We often complain that "Europe does not hear us", that "Brussel is guided primarily by mercantile principles", but these claims are actually meaningless. Above all: why "Europe does not hear us"? Because it really can't hear itself.”

Here, for example, are the claims of just the last few days. Austria and Hungary agreed not to supply weapons to AFU. Everything seems to be clear with Budapest, but also with Vienna. The Austrians are carefully pushing their pretended "neutrality", despite the fact that the most bigoted Switzerland has thrown aside this "branded" style of behavior. However... Today four Russian diplomats accused of espionage were expelled from Austria. And this is not the first case, considering that less than a year ago, the mass media called Vienna the headquarters of the Moscow intelligence services.

Yesterday, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis made a radical statement that there is no need for Russian Embassies in the capitals of EU member states. I don't know how this unprecedented case of "cancellation" will come to be regarded in the diplomatic missions of the European Union. I'm sure that Poland, the Czech Republic and maybe Romania could support this idea.

In other words, it is about the eastern flank of Europe, those who gained EU membership with the collapse of the Soviet bloc, those who have completely justified concerns and prejudices about Russia embedded in their genetic memory. Despite financial assistance from Brussels, the local bureaucracy here is not tolerated too much, and in terms of security issues, they prefer to focus on the USA and Great Britain. Which cannot be said about the recent "pillars" of the European Union - Germany and France. Yes, both Paris and Berlin fairly contributed to the support of Kyiv. But the longstanding stereotypes of "Russophilism", based primarily on economic gains, are still capable of creating chaos in decisions and caution in statements. Of course, the Germans and the French are very jealous of the growing American or British influence, viewing it, among other things, not only from a business perspective but also from a purely ambitious one.

"If America and Russia do not come to an agreement, and it is not visible now, the war will not stop. For some reason, I hope that there will be some negotiations, or we will slowly move towards World War III, which some believe has already started, but I am a little reserved. As for the tanks, both the Russian and the American ones burn the same way"

There is also the "soft underbelly" of Europe - the traditionally unpredictable Balkans. 

Unpredictable, at least in view of the unexpected scandalous statement by Croatian President Zoran Milanovic that “Crimea will never be Ukrainian."

This was preceded by another speech of the politician from Zagreb, where he unexpectedly condemned Berlin's decision to transfer tanks to Ukraine. Considering the fact that the Germans significantly participated in the economic development of Croatia, that it is German investments that contribute to the success of this country, - the statement, to put it mildly, was extravagant. But a very unexpected aspect can be seen in it: "If America and Russia do not come to an agreement, and it is not visible now, the war will not stop. For some reason, I hope that there will be some negotiations, or we will slowly move towards World War III, which some believe has already started, but I am a little reserved. As for the tanks, both the Russian and the American ones burn the same way." Namely, we see some kind of fatal "European doom", they say, this is not our war - let Washington and Moscow decide our affairs.

Instead, the Serbian leader, traditionally pro-Russian oriented Aleksandar Vucic, no less unexpectedly recognized the EU being right in the plan regarding Kosovo. The change in his rhetoric is caused by the need to react to the ultimatum statements of both Brussels and Washington. Vucic, it turns out, was disappointed by Moscow's support and chose a completely rational path - the path to the EU, and eventually to NATO.

“The status of a "rookie" will not prevent Ukraine from becoming the consolidation core of the future Intermarium bloc, which, by the way, will become not only NATO's eastern outpost, but also a "showcase" of democracy for what remains of Putin's empire”

But I will return to what I started with: with a view of the future European chessboard after the Russian-Ukrainian war. I would like to believe that, despite the "dances" of Brussels and Kyiv's clumsiness in meeting its demands, Ukraine will join the European Union. And the status of a "rookie" will not prevent it from becoming the consolidation core of the future Intermarium bloc, which, by the way, will become not only NATO's eastern outpost, but also a "showcase" of democracy for what remains of Putin's empire.

Ukrainian leadership matures in battles. And not only in real ones - with Russians. These battles are ongoing both in the offices of European capitals and overseas. Therefore, do not ask about "indifferent Europe". Give them a chance to sort things out a little…

About the author. Ihor Hulyk is a journalist, Editor-in-Chief of the Espreso.West website.

The editorial board does not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.