Suggesting that the Baltics or Poland are to blame for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is not only impertinent but simply wrong.
The real cause is Putin’s refusal to accept the USSR’s collapse and the West’s past appeasement while ignoring clear warning signs.🧵
The real cause is Putin’s refusal to accept the USSR’s collapse and the West’s past appeasement while ignoring clear warning signs.🧵
In our region, the true nature of Russia was recognised early.
Most of the Western world ignored warnings, even after Putin openly expressed his anti-Western views and Soviet nostalgia in his 2007 Munich speech.
Most of the Western world ignored warnings, even after Putin openly expressed his anti-Western views and Soviet nostalgia in his 2007 Munich speech.
Neither the war in Georgia in 2008 nor the annexation of Crimea in 2014 received a strong response.
Instead, we saw repeated attempts to press the "reset" button, efforts to seek dialogue with Russia, and a willingness to overlook Moscow's brutality.
Instead, we saw repeated attempts to press the "reset" button, efforts to seek dialogue with Russia, and a willingness to overlook Moscow's brutality.
Germany, under Chancellor Merkel, misjudged the cost of economic cooperation with Russia.
By cheerfully inaugurating the Nord Stream pipeline, Merkel contributed to making her country dependent on Russian energy.
By cheerfully inaugurating the Nord Stream pipeline, Merkel contributed to making her country dependent on Russian energy.
The outbreak of Russia’s full-scale aggression cannot be understood without acknowledging the 2008 NATO Bucharest Summit decision to deny Ukraine and Georgia a Membership Action Plan.
These mistakes, accumulated over the years, emboldened Russia and gave it the confidence to launch a full-scale war in early 2022.
Even now, every small concession to Russia only gives Putin more oxygen to continue terrorizing Ukraine and push the boundaries with provocations against NATO allies.
Even now, every small concession to Russia only gives Putin more oxygen to continue terrorizing Ukraine and push the boundaries with provocations against NATO allies.
These lessons remind us of a simple truth: Russia responds only to strength.
We must keep isolating Russia internationally, increase economic pressure, and provide Ukraine with military, political, and economic support.
We must keep isolating Russia internationally, increase economic pressure, and provide Ukraine with military, political, and economic support.
Efforts are underway to secure a strong 19th EU sanctions package.
Discussions are also ongoing about using Russia’s frozen assets to benefit Ukraine.
Support continues through various existing and new initiatives.
Discussions are also ongoing about using Russia’s frozen assets to benefit Ukraine.
Support continues through various existing and new initiatives.
Europe is moving in the right direction, with Germany under Chancellor Friedrich Merz taking decisive steps to support Ukraine and strengthen its own defence capabilities.
In this context, it is worth remembering Chancellor Merz’s words from this summer:
"For far too long, we in Germany didn’t want to hear our Baltic neighbours’ warnings about Russia’s imperialist policies. We have recognised this mistake – and there is no going back from this realisation."
"For far too long, we in Germany didn’t want to hear our Baltic neighbours’ warnings about Russia’s imperialist policies. We have recognised this mistake – and there is no going back from this realisation."
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