Four years of war in Ukraine: no end in sight?
Four years ago, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then the most brutal war in Europe since WWII has raged there - and despite ongoing negotiations it shows no sign of stopping. Europe's media take a look at what has changed and how things look for the future.
Europe standing up to Putin
We must live with the Russian threat, concludes La Vanguardia:
“By mid-2026 the conflict will have lasted longer than the First World War, and the positions remain irreconcilable. ... The number of casualties (soldiers killed, wounded or missing) on both sides will reach the chilling figure of two million this spring. ... In this scenario, Europeans argue that Putin must not be allowed to win because this would pave the way for further Russian aggression. The biggest fear in Europe's capitals is that pressure on Zelensky could produce a false end to the war, after which Putin could rearm and strike again. This conflict has transformed Europe, forcing it to adapt to a new scenario and coexist with the Russian threat.”
Even peace won't be easy
Europe must prepare for the day after the war, writes Expresso:
“In 2022, no one would have thought a war of territorial conquest on the European continent would be possible. And no one would have thought that a war could last four years, causing enormous damage, destruction and death. Four years later, the unimaginable has become commonplace. ... Peace - unjust, imperfect and fragile - could come this year. Paradoxically, this moment will be even more challenging for the EU than the war. For while war is almost always temporary, peace is expected to be lasting. Decisions, efforts and circumstantial contributions will become permanent.”
Be prepared for robots on the front lines
Political scientist Nikolai Mitrokhin outlines on Facebook the current situation and offers a glimpse of the future:
“Ukraine is holding its own on the front lines, but the functionality of its energy system hangs by a thread, which could have significant consequences. Russia has neither sufficient troops nor new technologies for decisive and successful offensives, but it can break through Ukrainian defences in some narrow sections at the cost of tens of thousands of lives and advance at a rate of about three kilometres per month. We don't yet know what will happen when and if companies of combat humanoid robots are brought in from China, but we must prepare for this, as it could happen quite soon.”
A land of heros - and heroines
The Salzburger Nachrichten focuses on the women of Ukraine:
“The image of war is no longer exclusively male. Women are represented in all areas of the military. They fight in trenches near the front line, fly drones and treat the seriously wounded. ... Like their male comrades, they risk their lives for their country every day. But there is also an invisible front. Many Ukrainian women are ensuring that life and everyday routines continue away from the fighting. ... In addition to their paid work, a great number of them are single mothers. ... When this war is over, heroic stories will be told. We can only hope that the heroines will not be forgotten.”