A Sombre Hour for Europe

Thursday 24 Feb 2022 @ 14:25
RUSI

RUSI experts respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian civilian volunteers and reservists of the Kyiv Territorial Defence unit conduct weekly combat training, 19 February 2022. Courtesy of Alamy / Sipa US

The main immediate goal for the Ukrainian resistance will be to survive. If it can do so, and keep inflicting damage on the occupiers, then Vladimir Putin’s gamble will be on course to fail.

A new Iron Curtain across the heart of Europe now seems inevitable. Where that curtain is drawn will depend on the outcome of the war for Ukraine.

The primary driver for this war of aggression has been a perverted nationalism, fed by the perceived humiliations of the past three decades. It is not economic.

Comprehensive Western sanctions should weaken Russia’s economy over time. But they will do little to affect the outcome of this war. Their impact could be further weakened if Russia is able to shift its trade towards China, India and other non-Western powers. Building a broad global coalition against Russia’s aggression will be key.

We should watch out for efforts to open up new fronts in Russia’s competition with the West – for example in Bosnia or Venezuela.

Malcolm Chalmers, RUSI Deputy-Director General

Click here for the full press release

Channel website: https://rusi.org

Original article link: https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/sombre-hour-europe

Share this article

Latest News from
RUSI

Failing to Understand Adversaries Creates a Vicious Circle of Tensions

26/04/2024 09:25:00

Tensions can escalate quickly when adversaries fail to understand each other. Unfortunately, we are often least able to understand our adversaries when tensions are high. Breaking this cycle is essential.

Committing to 2.5%: Is Help at Hand for the UK's Defences?

25/04/2024 14:25:00

The recent announcement that the UK will commit to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2030 is welcome news for the country’s armed forces, even if how the increase will be funded remains as yet unclear.

Australia’s First National Defence Strategy: Deterrence Rules

25/04/2024 11:25:00

With its first-ever National Defence Strategy, Australia aims to respond to a rapidly shifting strategic environment.

NATO at 75: Curb the Celebrations to Focus on Looming Security Challenges

24/04/2024 09:05:00

On 3 April the very best of Alliance pomp and ceremony was on display at NATO headquarters for the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Washington Treaty.

UK-Georgia Cyber Partnership launch Georgian language Cybercrime Report

23/04/2024 14:05:00

On 28 March, the UK-Georgia Cyber Partnership (UKGCP) launched a Georgian language version of research shedding light on the experience and perception of cybercrime and online harms in Georgia.

Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategy amid US–China Geopolitical Rivalry

23/04/2024 11:05:00

As tensions between the US and China continue to grow and efforts to ‘friend-shore’ supply chains gather pace, Australia is being forced to make a difficult choice when it comes to the future of its critical minerals strategy.

A Decade On: EDCA and the Philippines–US Alliance

22/04/2024 14:25:00

Since its signing in 2014, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement has faced some delays in its implementation. However, with Beijing showing no signs of curtailing its aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea, recent years have seen an uptick in security cooperation between Manila and Washington.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Visits RUSI to Discuss NATO and Russia

19/04/2024 14:25:00

On 16 April, Sweden’s Foreign Minister, His Excellency Tobias Billström, joined a roundtable discussion at RUSI to discuss Sweden’s foreign policy priorities.

Luxury on the Surface: Social Media Influencers and Financial Crime

19/04/2024 11:25:00

As recent arrests in Turkey demonstrate, the glamourous lives of social media influencers can be the perfect cover for fraud, money laundering and financial crime.

WIREDGOV