EU identity: pacifism passé?
For decades, the EU's foundations have been based on trade and the internal market, while security was the responsibility of others. This has changed with Russia's war against Ukraine. Security and defence policy are now at the top of the agenda, and in supplying arms the EU is taking sides. Not all European media welcome this change.
Stick to moderation
Objectivity is now the most important asset in Europe, economist Katalin Botos stresses in Magyar Nemzet:
“The fact that the long era of peaceful coexistence in Europe is over is in itself an epochal shift. ... In the past there were nuclear threats, but thank God they remained only at the level of deterrence. Besides politicians, great thinkers like Nobel Peace Prize winners Albert Schweitzer or Alva Myrdal did a lot to reduce arsenals with their interventions in international forums that were highly respected back then. Nowadays, these forums have suffered a great loss of prestige. ... Common sense, objective diplomacy, clear information and a moderate style of communication are of particular importance today.”
American roulette is no option
The EU must not make the mistake of relying on the US in the face of the war against Ukraine, writes Expresso:
“Only a helpless Europe would entrust its fate to the lottery of a country that just over a year ago was debating about the danger of civil war. Perhaps it is good to look at what is happening to the Republicans and think about whether you really want to leave your foreign and defence policy to those who may be preparing a profound and frightening political and cultural counter-revolution. The EU should consider whether it wants to play Russian (or American) roulette or whether it is time to emancipate itself and fend for itself.”
The EU needs a democratic Russia
A Russia without Putin could come closer to the EU in the medium term, writes author Giorgos Karampelias in Liberal:
“The Russian invasion has dispelled Europe's illusions and made it realise that it can overcome the trade logic imposed by German Europe which has led to energy dependence on Russia with enormous geopolitical, economic and social consequences. ... Europe has a strategic interest in seeing Putin defeated. After all, a Russia that behaves like a European democratic nation and abandons its imperial dreams could in the long term move closer to the EU. But that presupposes the fall of Putin and the rise of democratic forces.”