The Ukraine war is a moment of reckoning for Europe because beforehand we felt things were safe.
Many in high European circles felt that Russia was pacified and that war was not possible. In their eyes, it was the only option and had been since the Second World War.
The assault on Ukraine is therefore a wakeup call but even now it’s not clear how many should be worried about it.
There’s obviously a strong reaction to any threat to the security of Europe.
The Second World War was a costly exercise. Its level of sacrifice continues to have a profound effect on us today, leaving us in a truly defensive mode.
What we’re willing to do is a first test of structure and integrity.
NATO juggles its responsibilities as a public exercise. It hasn’t made strong moves against Russia. Its members are largely absent.
European nations have struggles of their own, being unwilling to drop everything to fight a Russian phantom for Ukraine. It harks back but doesn’t make sense.
Ukraine has to win but maybe it will happen on its own terms. The ‘boots on the ground’ are Ukrainians seeking an urgent reset for their ambitions.
If this works Europe has proved that the free world is a place of conclusion for nefarious intent. Any plan of Putin can take a back seat in the great scheme of things.














