Analysis
Henrique Burnay, specialist in European Affairs, considers that the exclusion of the use of frozen Russian assets reveals a Europe incapable of taking a political leap forward in the face of the new international reality.
but left out the use of frozen Russian assets. For Henrique Burnay, a specialist in European affairs, the decision shows a Europe that continues to function as it always has: capable of supporting Kiev, but incapable of taking a political leap in a changed international context.
“The European Union remains what it was and has not become anything new. European Union member countries realize that it is absolutely crucial to support Ukraine. Ukraine does not have the financial conditions to maintain itself in the fight against Russia over the next two years and therefore needs financial support.”
Still, the European response was not unanimous. “Europe advances at 24, not 27”
“Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but above all Hungary, is practically outside of what is essential and decisive for the history of Europe at this moment“.
Russian assets out of the equation
For Henrique Burnay, what truly matters is what was not done. Faced with a new international reality, with the United States “are not exactly putting pressure on Russia to end the warbut rather they are behaving like a mediator who is facilitating the Russian position”, Europe could have used frozen Russian assets as a pressure tool.
“Europe could have shown here that it had a new international circumstance and said: we are going to use the means of pressure we have. And this is where Russian assets come in“.
“Losing access to money worries Putin more than continuing to send men to the front.”
By not doing so, the European Union left Russia room for maneuver.
“It’s a Russian victory to that extent because Europe did not use the strength it could have faced with pressure, either from Russia, but, let’s say, everything indicates pressure from the United States as well”
The decision confirms, in the expert’s opinion, a European Union that recognizes the strategic importance of Ukraine, but which “did not take the quantum leap of looking at the world, seeing the same reality and taking the same risk together”.
