Are we still living in peace or already at war?
A breakthrough in the negotiationson the war in Ukraine seems a long way off. In the Black Sea, for the first time, Ukraine attacked oil tankers heading for Russia. Military and security issues are high on the agenda in every country – and Putin is making insinuations about a war with Europe. Is the continent on the verge of an even bigger conflict? The media assess the situation.
Fog of uncertainty
El País sounds out the current situation:
“In many countries, military service is being reintroduced amid rumours of war, and you certainly have to study military plans to understand the current international situation. ... We are neither at war nor at peace, although Vladimir Putin yesterday warned: 'We don't want war with Europe, but if it breaks out, we're ready.' The critical word here is 'but' - nothing can be taken for granted. ... The great emperors and feudal lords of technological power have returned. Neither war nor peace: a fog hangs over this uncertain time, in which the question is no longer where we are headed, but where we are being driven. ... All we can do is find a small hole to hide in.”
Invisible war over Europe's infrastructure
La Stampa comments:
“Europe is founded on law and transparency, Russia on their erosion. Nato must defend its own commitments, without turning them into weaknesses. It must involve an American ally who acts according to the logic of exchange and transaction, as well as a Russian enemy, who acts according to the logic of destabilisation. This is why the 'invisible war' is not a precursor to war: it is the war. A war that is fought not along borders, but in the infrastructural network that holds the continent together. Europe's strategic survival will depend on whether it can take its place at the negotiation table not only to defend territories but as a champion of systems, continuity, resilience and rights.”
Western order means nothing to Putin
Corriere della Sera quotes:
“'Yesterday's world is a thing of the past. And it won't come back.' With this headline, the Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Moscow's most liberal daily describes the negotiations on the war with Ukraine. ... Almost four years have passed since it all began. We have seen a lot of changes in people's lives, a lot of exhaustion, a lot of polarisation in societies worldwide. But what we find difficult to understand and accept is how Russia has changed so radically and irrevocably during this time. ... 'Can Vladimir Putin still accept the Western 'rule-based order' vis-à-vis his country? The answer is a clear 'no'. ... This order no longer means anything to Russia' [writes the Nezavisimaya Gazeta].”
Time for new Churchills, Thatchers and Adenauers
Europe needs true grit now, urges Valeriy Chaly, former Ukrainian ambassador to the US, on Facebook:
“With his emotional threats to blackmail key European countries, the leader of the crumbling North Asian empire has clearly demonstrated today that his position is weakening. In the parlance of back courtyards of St. Petersburg: he's bluffing. That is a good sign. The only problem is that his words could be enough to turn the countries of the EU and the European Nato states from 'determined' back into eternally 'willing'. Europe is waking up. I hope it finally begins to take action! Where are you, Europe's Churchills, Thatchers and Adenauers? Your time has come!”