**Europe’s Five Fatal Misconceptions About Russia’s War**
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin failed to show up in Istanbul for talks with Ukraine, a clear indication of his intention to continue waging war. This is not the first time Russia has lied about its intentions, and it won’t be the last.
Over the years, Russia has consistently misled the world about its plans. In 2022, they said they had no intention of invading Ukraine, but that’s exactly what happened. Eleven years ago, Putin claimed that the unmarked troops seizing buildings in Crimea weren’t his, but we know the truth. And let’s not forget the Holodomor, a devastating famine orchestrated by Moscow to break Ukraine’s will to live free.
The world knows Russia as a master of deception, and yet many nations still entertain the idea that this is just a neighborly dispute gone wrong. They fail to recognize the true nature of Russia’s aggression and its impact on global security. Europe, with its economy ten times larger than Russia’s and three times the population, has been slow to react.
**The First Lie: Fear of Escalation**
One of the main reasons for this lack of action is the fear of escalation. Europe believes that confronting Russia would lead to a greater conflict, but history shows us that this approach only emboldens the aggressor. In 2008, when Russia invaded Georgia, Europe’s self-restraint was seen as weakness, and Moscow took advantage of it.
**The Second Lie: It’s Not Putin’s War**
We tend to blame one man for Russia’s actions, but this is a misreading of history. Russia was born an empire and has always been driven by a desire to conquer and expand. Its rulers have changed over the centuries, from tsars to commissars to kleptocrats, but their colonizer impulses remain.
**The Third Lie: Yielding to Nuclear Coercion**
Russia’s nuclear threats are not to be taken lightly, but yielding to them only ensures that this tactic will continue to be used. The world changed forever when Moscow rattled its nukes, and the West responded with retreat rather than resolve. If we allow Russia to use nuclear blackmail to achieve its goals, the consequences will be incalculably awful.
**The Fourth Lie: Frozen Assets**
Europe agonizes over whether transferring frozen Russian assets to Ukraine would set a bad precedent, but this thinking is backwards. By doing nothing, we signal that a pariah state can wage war and keep the profits. This approach only emboldens Russia’s aggression and encourages it to continue its destructive behavior.
**The Fifth Lie: Ukraine is a Security Burden**
Ukraine has chosen to resist Russia’s invasion and has severely degraded Moscow’s military capabilities. By standing up against Russia, Ukraine has become a security provider for Europe, not a burden. A NATO-integrated Ukraine is the best guarantee of peace in Europe and should be seen as a deterrent rather than a liability.
**The Time for Action is Now**
It’s time to break free from these fatal misconceptions and take action. The Free World, and Europe in particular, has the means and moral responsibility to help Ukraine restore its sovereignty. Victory for Ukraine is not a gift; it’s the price of peace in Europe. We must find the will to confront Russia and put an end to its cycle of appeasement.
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