‘Not losing’ is not enough: it’s time for Europe to finally get serious about a Ukrainian victory – Opinion article from a historian & political writer

3 comments

1. Anyone and everyone in Europe should contact their politicians. I know it’s possible either by mail or phone. I have done so myself to a plethora of different parties here in NL. Make your voices heard and mention that you will vote for pro Ukraine parties during the next election. If enough people do this, change is possible.

2. One reason why Europe is taking its time is that the longer the conflict drags on, the more likely that refugees will gradually adapt and think of their new country as home and choose to permanently settle there instead of returning even when the conflict ends.

   Ukrainian refugees are a boon for the labor shortages throughout all Europe – millions of educated, culturally-similar people who can assimilate more easily than the millions of migrants from MENA. And 1/3 of the refugees are children who are able to assimilate more easily and are less likely to want to go back. There are short term difficulties like language, obtaining professional licenses, funding but in general officials would like the refugees to permanently stay. Kyiv of course would prefer otherwise but countries will do what is in their self interest.

   Aging, declining demographics is one the biggest problems facing Europe. It’s likely they will extend the temporary protection status for Ukrainians past the 2025 expiry date.

3. “Europe” is one of the richest geopolitical entities on the planet… possibly the *actual* richest if you consider not only GDP, technology and human capital… but also infrastructure, cultural capital, etc.

   If it stops petty bickering and adopts a more cohesive stance on Ukraine it could easily beat Russia into military-economic submission without help from the US.

   It just needs the sheer bloody-minded determination to do so.