Tendar’s interesting take on the collective steps taken by Europeans to counter Russia’s military aggression at the EU level.
We wasted 2.5 years doing almost nothing, but we have the resources to respond almost instantly. What we can do right now is to gather forces that will be localized in Ukraine. In German we would call it “Sperrverband” (Blockade Forces). These forces need not be large, at least initially, but should include almost all European countries, both NATO/EU and non-NATO/EU.
The military mission of these forces is as follows:
✅ protecting all airspace west of the Dnieper and neutralizing any enemy aircraft, just as we do for Israel when it comes to threats from Iran
✅ protection of critical infrastructure, such as power plants, distribution stations and power lines, and carrying out restoration work throughout the country
✅ Unloading all Ukrainian combat units in these sectors and giving them the opportunity to be redeployed to the east of Ukraine, including their air defense equipment, such as Patriot batteries.
✅ prevent refugee flows by starting reconstruction programs and ensuring security
From the political/economic side, the following measures should be taken:
✅ extend all sanctions against Russia at the embargo level and close all loopholes in the sanctions regime
✅ launch mass production at munitions factories across Europe, repurposing workers from struggling Western companies and sending them to work for the military-industrial complex
✅ provide Ukraine with long-range missiles, such as Tomahawk and TAURUS, and remove all restrictions on their use
✅ increase all defense budgets of EU countries and make them mandatory at the level of at least 4% (countries that do not reach this figure pay their share from the EU budget)
✅ increase spending if necessary and cut to a minimum welfare programs that harm the European economy
✅ deport illegals who do not contribute to the economy or are criminals
✅ energy production in Europe must be focused on efficiency until the end of this war and after it. This also applies to nuclear technologies. Renewable energy sources are still better to use, but not at the expense of our defense capability
✅ inform China, India and other countries that any violation of the sanctions regime will be accompanied by swift sanctions against companies in these countries, including banks that have facilitated such a violation.
✅ deport all employees of the Russian embassy (spies) and leave only the ambassador and one assistant who can only pick up the phone. Reduce diplomatic ties to almost zero, but keep your ears sharp.
This is by no means a complete list, but it is just the beginning.
We are at war and it doesn’t matter if we like it or not. We have to win this war, and I prefer to do it together with Ukraine, which is 80% still free, and with more than 30 million Ukrainians on our side. If we don’t, we may have to host not only millions of refugees, but an emboldened and strengthened Russia that will surely invade our lands. We cannot avoid confrontation, but we can meet it on our terms and in a way that works for us. This is our last chance.
