This week we’ve seen many signals that Western unity vis à vis Russia is thinner than we might wish. Also reflected at #lennartmericonference discussions thus far, in panels and in the margins. Some reflections 🧵
24 Feb. triggered a major shift in Western approach to Russia. Many past mistakes have been admitted, we've started to correct them by giving military aid to Ukraine, strengthening Nato defence on the Eastern flank, cutting energy dependence on Russia. It's work in progress.
But old instincts die hard. Here we are arguing over whether we should avoid humiliating Russia and whether to “save face” of a dictator and war criminal by compromising the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a democratic European country.
We should have learned from the past (Minsk I + II) that accommodating Russia’s imperial ambitions in Ukraine is not a way to build lasting security. Also that trying to end or freeze this war asap through concessions to Russia does not end or even reduce the human suffering.
Unfortunately, Russia feels humiliated if it is not able to control Ukraine and other neighbours. So our choice is between defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity or appeasing Russia so as to avoid it being humiliated.
In Europe we don’t think that any country should feel humiliated by having sovereign neighbours, or feel threatened by having democratic neighbours.
As long as Russia does not share the same understanding, here’s my view of what the Western approach to Russia should look like
As long as Russia does not share the same understanding, here’s my view of what the Western approach to Russia should look like
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