4 ms·

Although I agree in the basis, it is more complex than just selfishness. In this war we have already been primed and aligned. Europe has been effectively align

by tinco 4y ago

Although I agree in the basis, it is more complex than just selfishness. In this war we have already been primed and aligned. Europe has been effectively aligned with Ukraine, whether it was through propaganda or plain high quality media coverage. So at the very least we will be sad to see Ukraine fall. On top of that we have been thoroughly informed that Russia is a threat to the EU, and Russia has done nothing but confirm that belief. Besides being selfish we are self preserving. And we'd rather be cold and dropped down a couple notches economically, than have our entire union be threatened by some kleptocracy. Most people would probably be ok with passively waiting for Ukraine to fall, and being cold while doing so, as well as reinstating relations with Russia after the war is over. But I think if EU leadership decides action is needed and we need a more active hand, it will receive majority support from the populace.

ixs 4y ago
The distance from Paris to Berlin is longer than Berlin to Lviv in Ukraine. Something that is often forgotten it seems. The European Union has legitimate territorial security interests and a expansionist empire right next door that is encroaching on your borders isn't something the EU leadership likes to have around. Considering that I doubt passively waiting for Ukraine to fall was never on the menu. Instead I expect the military and financial help for Ukraine to further increase as it is way cheaper to finance someone else to fight the empire next door than having to beef up your own border security. There are certainly enough useful idiots around that are clamoring for cheap gas at any price but I do not have the impression that they get a lot of traction. I saw some numbers the other day that 70% of the German population agrees that supporting Ukraine is important, even if it means higher energy prices/colder times in winter. Only the voters of the far right party AfD thought it a sensible policy to drop Ukraine. Not surprising really for Moscow's fifth column.

by tinco 4y ago

ixs 4y ago

The distance from Paris to Berlin is longer than Berlin to Lviv in Ukraine. Something that is often forgotten it seems. The European Union has legitimate territorial security interests and a expansionist empire right next door that is encroaching on your borders isn't something the EU leadership likes to have around. Considering that I doubt passively waiting for Ukraine to fall was never on the menu. Instead I expect the military and financial help for Ukraine to further increase as it is way cheaper to finance someone else to fight the empire next door than having to beef up your own border security. There are certainly enough useful idiots around that are clamoring for cheap gas at any price but I do not have the impression that they get a lot of traction. I saw some numbers the other day that 70% of the German population agrees that supporting Ukraine is important, even if it means higher energy prices/colder times in winter. Only the voters of the far right party AfD thought it a sensible policy to drop Ukraine. Not surprising really for Moscow's fifth column.