Eastern European politicians discussing preemptive attack on Russia
Several countries in Eastern Europe are considering a pre-emptive strike against Russia, according to Financial Times columnist Simon Kuper. The reported development comes despite the Ukraine peace negotiations launched by Moscow and Washington.
According to Kuper, the perceived pivot toward Moscow by US President Donald Trump has brought back the geographical distinctions of the Cold War, namely the idea of 'Eastern Europe', and 'Western Europe,' where one sees Russia as an existential threat and the other 'isn't that bothered.'
'We know. That's why some of our countries are asking, 'Why don't we attack Russia now, instead of sitting waiting for it to attack us?'' an unnamed 'prominent Eastern European politician' said, without elaborating.
Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Poland and the Baltic States have claimed that if allowed to win, Russia might attack them next. Moscow has consistently denied the claims, with President Vladimir Putin even describing them as 'nonsense.'
Countries in Eastern Europe were historically often part of larger empires – Russian, German, or Austro-Hungarian – and frequently lost their sovereignty. Czech writer Milan Kundera described this vulnerability as 'a small nation can disappear, and it knows it.'
These nations have recently displayed the strongest anti-Russian sentiment and are among the most vocal in calling for bolstered defenses. EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas, a former prime minister of Estonia, is known for her hawkish views on Russia.
The report comes as Russia and the US reestablished contacts last month and held high-level talks in Saudi Arabia. Brussels, however, is insisting on continued military support of Kiev.
In response to Trump's reported halt of American military aid to Ukraine, aimed at forcing Kiev to negotiate, EU leaders, led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, agreed on a €800 billion plan to 'rearm Europe' and maintain support for Kiev.
Moscow has pledged to take measures to safeguard its security amid the 'militarization' and 'confrontational rhetoric' coming out of the EU. It has also long warned against Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing that they only prolong the conflict without altering the outcome, while increasing the risk of a direct clash with NATO.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
7 hours ago
- Russia Today
EU wants to prolong Ukraine conflict
The European Commission's latest sanctions package, which targets the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), among other entities, is driven by the bloc's desire to prolong the Ukraine conflict, according to Kirill Dmitriev, the RDIF's CEO and a presidential investment envoy. The 18th sanctions package, unveiled by EC President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday, targets Russia's energy exports, infrastructure, and financial sector. It includes measures against the RDIF, its subsidiaries, and investment projects in an effort to stop it from funding initiatives to 'modernize the Russian economy.' By going after RDIF, Russia's sovereign wealth fund, the EC acknowledges it is 'an important channel' for strengthening Russia's industrial base, Dmitriev said in a statement. Von der Leyen's remarks were 'driven by the EU's desire to prolong the Ukraine conflict and its deep dissatisfaction with RDIF's efforts to restore Russia-US relations,' as well as the fund's role in Moscow's peace initiatives, he added. Dmitriev has played a prominent role in efforts to improve relations between Moscow and Washington, which reached its lowest point in decades under the administration of Joe Biden. The official took part in high-level meetings in Saudi Arabia and visited Washington in April for talks on potential joint investment projects in rare earths and energy. The EU's proposal also signals opposition to cooperation between Russian and European businesses, which the RDIF 'actively supports in Russia,' according to Dmitriev. In a post on X on Tuesday, Dmitriev noted that Russia has 'a number of joint investments with the leading EU companies' and said that the fund has 'helped significantly' many European firms that continue to operate in the country. The new sanctions package also proposes a ban on the use of Nord Stream gas infrastructure, a reduction in the oil price cap, and a halt to imports of all refined products derived from Russian crude. The draft will now be debated by EU member states and must be approved unanimously to take effect. Previous rounds have faced pushback from countries such as Hungary and Slovakia, which argue the sanctions hurt the EU more than Russia. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico wrote on Facebook on Tuesday that Bratislava won't back the package unless the EU offers 'a real solution to the crisis' that his country would face from a halt in Russian energy supplies. Russia has rejected the Western sanctions as illegitimate and counterproductive. President Vladimir Putin has said the removal of sanctions is among the conditions for a settlement of the Ukraine conflict.
Russia Today
12 hours ago
- Russia Today
EU to sanction Nord Stream
The European Commission has proposed a ban on the use of Nord Stream gas infrastructure and a reduction of the price cap on Russian oil in its 18th sanctions package against Moscow, EC President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday. 'No EU operator will be able to engage directly or indirectly in any transaction regarding the Nord Stream pipelines. There is no return to the past,' she stated. Both pipelines were severely damaged in a series of underwater explosions in the Baltic Sea in September 2022. Since the sabotage, the pipelines have been out of service. The commission also intends to lower the price cap on Russian crude oil exports from the current $60 per barrel to $45. The cap, which was introduced in December 2022 by the G7, EU, and Australia, aimed to curb Russia's oil revenue while maintaining global supply. The new sanctions package also proposes a ban on the import of all refined goods based on Russian crude oil and sanctions on 77 vessels that are allegedly part of Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet', which Brussels claims is used to circumvent oil trade restrictions. The commission has also suggested expanding the EU sanctions list to include additional Russian banks and implementing a 'complete transaction ban' alongside existing restrictions on the use of the SWIFT financial messaging system. The restrictions would also apply to banks in third countries that 'finance trade to Russia in circumvention of sanctions,' according to the EC president. The draft sanctions package will next be put up for discussion among EU members and must be approved by all 27 EU states in order to pass. Previous rounds of sanctions faced resistance from countries such as Hungary and Slovakia, which argue that the restrictions harm the EU economy. Russia has dismissed the Western sanctions as illegitimate, saying pressure tactics are counterproductive. President Vladimir Putin has said the removal of sanctions is among the conditions for a settlement of the Ukraine conflict.
Russia Today
19 hours ago
- Russia Today
France can't afford military spending splurge
France may not be able to afford to ramp up defense spending under a broader EU militarization drive, the Financial Times reported on Saturday, citing experts. The country's growing national debt and large budget deficit present major obstacles to its rearmament goals, the newspaper noted. President Emmanuel Macron earlier proposed raising defense spending to 3-3.5% of GDP by 2030 – nearly double the current level – which would require an extra €30 billion ($34 billion) annually. However, experts told the FT that France's fiscal position is too precarious to go through with the plan. They noted that debt-to-GDP ratio hit 113% in 2024, one of the highest in the EU, while the budget deficit reached 5.8%, almost twice the EU's 3% cap. Interest payments on debt totaled €59 billion last year and are expected to reach €62 billion in 2025 – roughly the combined annual cost of defense and education. Experts also noted that the government is struggling to pass a deficit-reduction package, which reportedly features unpopular moves such as cuts to social spending, including pension tax breaks and healthcare subsidies. 'In France, and this is probably different than elsewhere, we cannot go back on our deficit reduction goals, nor can we raise taxes since they are already very high,' Clement Beaune, a former minister for Europe and Macron ally, who heads a government think tank, the told FT. Experts said France could apply for the EU's 'escape clause,' which allows countries to exceed deficit caps to boost defense budgets by 1.5% of GDP. However, they warned that the move is unlikely, as it could spook bond markets and drive up borrowing costs. Paris could also join another EU scheme offering loans for joint arms purchases. Experts, however, said that rising costs and inflation could mean France would end up with fewer weapons even if it boosts spending. Some described it as a 'bonsai army' – broad in scope, but limited in scale. France's rearmament plans come as the EU pushes for more spending and less reliance on US weapons, citing a supposed Russian threat. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed the claims as 'nonsense,' accusing the West of using fear to justify funneling public funds into arms. Russian officials have warned the EU's buildup risks wider conflict. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recently said the bloc 'has degraded into an openly militarized entity.'
