Europe is under threat
- Russian drones have hit Poland, Romania, and Lithuania.
- This is not just Ukraine’s fight.
- The war is spreading.
- And it will keep spreading until Russia is stopped.
Putin has tied his legacy and survival to the war in Ukraine
- Ukraine is not the final goal.
- It is the first step.
- Russia will escalate again and again unless it is defeated.
Europe cannot just defend and wait
- Every time Russia escalates, it must pay a price.
- That means long-range weapons for Ukraine, more aid, tougher sanctions, and seizing frozen Russian assets.
Waiting for Trump or hoping the war will end on its own is a fantasy
- Putin will only stop when continuing the war becomes more costly than ending it.
- Right now, we are failing to make that clear.
Russia escalates because it sees weakness
- It sees the Trump administration procrastinating and appeasing Russia
- It sees hesitation in Europe.
- It sees fear of going it alone without the traditional US backing.
Weapons, sanctions, and action are the only language Putin understands
- This war will not end with speeches.
- It will end when Putin sees no benefit in continuing.
- That moment is still far away.
- And it is our fault.
Appeasement and delay only invite more aggression
- Europe must respond with strength, not just words.
The views expressed are the author’s and not necessarily of Kyiv Post.