On the one hand, constant talk about continuing military aid to Ukraine, but with understanding that their own citizens do not agree with rising taxes and categorically do not wish to personally participate in military action. On the other — justified fear of direct military confrontation with Russia and, as a result, the actual use of Ukraine as a protective buffer and preparation for some “inevitable” war with Moscow in the future. This is the essence of the real European position regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The question of preserving people’s lives and the future does not greatly trouble current European leadership. But preserving themselves and their parties in power, and redivision of markets and spheres of influence are quite real interests of leading European politicians. All this at the expense of continuing military action. Therefore, it is unsurprising that even Volodimir Zelensky recently suddenly declared that he “had not seen a European plan” to end the war.

It is precisely in this position of Europeans that the mistake lies. Because every day of continuing military action between Russia and Ukraine not only takes new human lives, but also brings closer the danger of confrontation between Russia and NATO, and therefore increases the threat of nuclear conflict. Neither Donald Trump nor Vladimir Putin can resolve the crisis independently. Undoubtedly, Kyiv’s real participation in the peace process is necessary. But the political will and desire of Brussels for a real ceasefire and end to bloodshed in Eastern Europe are critically necessary. And this is not observed.

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Grigory Yavlinsky spoke on the Zhivoi Gvozd YouTube channel about problems of ending military action, about prisoners in Russia and about windows of opportunities that would certainly open in the future.