Anne Applebaum’s article discusses the current state of Europe and Ukraine, highlighting the importance of maintaining relationships with Eastern European countries despite potential shifts in leadership. Here are the key points:
1. **Maintaining relationships**: Applebaum emphasizes the need for the West to maintain relationships with Eastern European countries like the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, even when less friendly leaders may rise.
2. **Ukraine’s significance**: She notes that Ukraine is a crucial battleground in the conflict between Europe and Russia, and its fall would have catastrophic consequences for global security and economy.
3. **New German chancellor**: Applebaum mentions the new German chancellor, Mertz, who understands the importance of Ukraine and may be willing to take on a more prominent role in European defense policy.
4. **Reorganizing NATO**: She highlights the need to restructure NATO, reducing its reliance on the US and creating a more decentralized command structure.
5. **Polish elections**: Applebaum notes that the Polish election is unlikely to change Poland’s support for Ukraine, as both main candidates represent parties that have consistently backed Ukraine’s war effort.
6. **Consequences of Ukraine’s fall**: She warns about the devastating consequences of Ukraine’s collapse, including increased vulnerability for Taiwan and reinforcement of dictatorships in Latin America.
7. **Anne Applebaum’s visits to Ukraine**: The article mentions Applebaum’s repeated visits to Ukraine, inspired by the resilience and creativity of the Ukrainian people.
The article concludes with a sense of hope and inspiration, highlighting the unique spirit and energy of the Ukrainian society, which continues to thrive despite the challenges of war.
