The coalition of the willings, comprising 37 states, is organising military manoeuvres on Ukraine’s borders (the ‘Koalicja’ exercise), the European Political Community, with its 47 members, is meeting in Dublin for the ninth time, and Europeans are marking the end of the fighting in 1918, whilst new talks between the Russians and Ukrainians, alongside the Americans, are taking place in Abu Dhabi. This may well be a historic moment.
Russia refuses to allow the Europeans to be involved, something Ukraine wants and which the United States now seems to understand.
How, indeed, can one imagine attempting to redraw a border on the continent without the European states?
The aggressor wishes to demonstrate that it remains a great power capable of imposing peace or war, which it is now only by virtue of its capacity to cause harm.
The Trump administration takes a detached and mercantile view of this horrific conflict, apparently eager to resume trade with that country, Russia, which is simply too big.
Nevertheless, its envoys seem finally to have realised that they do not alone hold the keys to resolving these tragic disputes and that Europe’s involvement is inevitable.
Modern-day Ukraine will never agree to surrender its independence, sovereignty or territory.
Europe is the only party capable of providing it with lasting guarantees and, perhaps one day, of convincing Russia that peace and stability are its best chances of catching up, even if this means resorting to the language of force which it has, wisely, refrained from using until now.
Indeed, Europe cannot accept any solution dictated by the very party that has violated the order and security architecture in Europe. Whatever observers and critics may think, by stepping in to replace US support, Europe has demonstrated that it has the determination to do so, for its own security and its values are at stake.
