A new iron curtain across Europe?
The war in Ukraine is shifting the balance of power in Europe. Finland and Sweden want to join Nato, Ukraine wants to join the EU. Russia cannot be completely isolated, President Vladimir Putin said yesterday in a video link with the Eurasian Economic Forum in Bishkek. European media examine whose side their countries are really on.
Bulgaria needs a clear position
Bulgaria must adopt a clear position, the Bulgarian service of German broadcaster Deutsche Welle urges:
“It needs responsible politicians who firmly and irrevocably adhere to European values. ... Otherwise Bulgaria will find itself on the side of dictatorship, military violence and socio-economic primitivism when the new Iron Curtain falls, and the Moskvitch [Soviet and now Russian car] will once again roll off the assembly lines in Lovech [a city in northern Bulgaria].”
Hungary on the wrong side
Members of the Hungarian opposition should not underestimate how much support Russia receives from within their own country, journalist Tóta W. Árpád warns in hvg:
“There is only one member state [of the EU] that still dances to the Russians' tune every chance it gets, and that is us. ... And unfortunately I'm not just talking about the government. Its supporters have also been spewing hatred for the Ukrainians, who are defending their homeland because they have the courage to stand up to Putin. ... Meanwhile, the Western world has a stranglehold on this dangerous, criminal state and is chasing away the shadow that hangs over our heads. The best thing we can do is realise that there are still Hungarians who fail to appreciate that.”
Armed forces must close ranks
The war in Ukraine has led to positive changes in European defence policy, writes the Neue Zürcher Zeitung:
“Finland and Sweden are knocking at Nato's door, the EU Commission is financing arms deliveries, and defence budgets are rising in the member states. Pooling the armament efforts would be the next logical step to improve the continent's self-defence capabilities. Europe's armed forces could co-operate better, unnecessary duplication could be avoided, and defence budgets could be used more efficiently. This would also be desirable from Nato's perspective.”