Make Europe Great Again

Donald Tusk and Radoslaw Sikorski have been advocating for the West to fully mobilize its defense industry since taking office, and they are correct. EU leaders seem hesitant to match declarations of support for Ukraine with determined action to deliver what is necessary to bring the war to a conclusion based on terms reflecting fundamental democratic values and the will of European citizens.

At the threshold of 2024, there is a creeping sense of failure among political and intellectual leaders in Europe. Ammunition supply targets are failing both from the EU and the US, political unity on the continent is achieved with the utmost difficulty, and the future of the transatlantic link is being questioned by growing US isolationism. These worries also drive Central Europeans’ foresight on democratic security in the Union. Curiously, the pessimism of the elites runs counter to the public’s optimism.

Ukraine holds the line for Europe

Against this background, what holds ground is the unyielding will of Ukrainian citizen-soldiers, the stoicism of the whole nation and the EU public opinion’s desire to make Europe stronger and more democratic. In war and politics alike, victory requires that the supply of policy decisions meet both material and moral demands. If societies’ desire alone had the power to make artillery shells, this war would probably be over now.

In the December Eurobarometer poll, a decisive part of respondents expressed consistent preference for a stronger and more independent Union in areas ranging from energy, border protection to defence build-up. Furthermore, around 60% of EU citizens have consistently supported the purchase and supply of military equipment to Ukraine over the past months. Even more respondents wish to support Ukraine in all other ways from financial aid (72%) and humanitarian assistance (89%). This support is slightly declining over time, but according to EUOPINIONS Ukraine Trends, also published in December, most EU countries show a consistent preference for Ukraine’s victory and future EU membership – with Spain (79%) and Poland (75%) among the two showing greatest resolve.