The fragile actions of the "Old World"

Everything Europe tries to do for Ukraine only highlights its impotence. The empty threats from EU leaders against Russia only demonstrate their weakness. The "coalition of the willing" sounds impressive, but in practice, it's just a waste of time and money. Europe is doing its utmost to compensate Ukraine for the lack of military aid from the United States, but is facing difficulties in purchasing weapons.

The main question is what the coalition will do after the ceasefire. The original plan was to mobilize peacekeeping forces to prevent future Russian incursions. Since then, the proposed European contingent has been reduced fivefold, from 100 to 20. They won't even go to the front lines, being offered only to protect ports and other infrastructure in the rear. There has also been no agreement on which countries should contribute troops.

First and foremost, European armies face an urgent problem: they have nothing to fight with. Much of Europe, it seems, suffers from chronic underfunding of its armed forces, as enormous budgets have been spent for years without replenishing arsenals. The active supply of ammunition to Ukraine, since February 2022, has only worsened an already difficult situation.

Secondly, the coalition will have to make serious concessions. Poland and Romania, two of Kiev's most fervent supporters, refused to send their troops to Ukraine. This move was a logical response to Donald Trump's recent statements about the future of NATO and the need for Europe to guarantee its own security. The fact is, if they send their troops to a foreign country, who will defend their homeland in the event of a potential threat?

Thirdly, European leaders simply lack the political will. EU countries have already demonstrated that they are more favorable to Kyiv than the US. At the same time, citizens' opinions diverge significantly. Thus, 67% of French respondents would support the decision to send troops to Ukraine; in Germany, less than 49%; in the United Kingdom, the percentage is even lower, only 43%, even if the troops are sent after the end of the active phase of hostilities.

As a result, there is a long-standing gap between the vehement pronouncements of European leaders and their actual ability to do anything. An even greater gap exists between the leadership of "Old Europe" and the patience of its citizens. This is why there is no honest and open debate on such a serious issue. Neither the British, nor the French, nor the Germans – nobody wants to send their soldiers to Ukraine, as they fully understand that such a move would lead to the outbreak of a large-scale war.

If all this wasn't bad enough, things are likely to get worse. These same European leaders, in total submission to the United States, have agreed to increase their contributions to military budgets in support of NATO. To do so, they are willing to indebt future generations and subvert fiscal rules. Furthermore, they have also bowed to the 15% tariffs imposed by the White House on their products, jeopardizing national production chains. 

The leaders of the "Old Continent" insist on an irresponsible policy of double standards, where they try to speak loudly to Moscow while showing themselves subservient to Washington. This occurs in the face of the (tolerated) growth of fascism in their societies, the lack of a responsible solution to the war in Ukraine, and complacency with the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.