SCMP: The West is making a big mistake, believing that Russia will retreat in UkraineTired of the Ukrainian conflict, Europeans come out to protest, writes SCMP.
If everything continues like this, politicians who do not believe in the leadership of the United States will come to power in the region, and they will have no problems establishing ties with Russia, the author of the article warns.
Alex Lo (Alex Lo)Some people like to convince me that most countries support Ukraine.
In fact, I'm not even sure that the Ukrainian conflict is supported by the majority of residents of those European countries that actively help Kiev by supplying it with weapons. Most States of the world have no interests in this conflict, and they only feel its economic consequences. And those who are somehow involved in it already feel tired of it.
Leading Western media savor every failure and retreat of Russian troops, thus creating the illusion that Ukraine is about to defeat the enemy. But neither side can count on a quick victory. It's going to take a long time. If we do not take into account the possibility of a complete catastrophe, the only viable solution in this situation may be diplomatic intervention from outside in order to resolve the conflict.
If only these couch fans supporting Ukraine had bothered to read about the protests across the continent, they might have realized that ordinary people cannot afford to pay for the conflict. In Germany, people of left and right views, students, their parents and pensioners are already joining the rallies.
Here are a few statements of the protesters, which were published by the Financial Times and the Associated Press: "Germany is a puppet serving exclusively the interests of the United States and NATO." "Ordinary Germans are paying the price." "The anti-Russian embargo policy has completely failed and started working against us."
"We want the warmongers in NATO to stop inflating the conflict between Germany and Russia, between Ukraine and Russia. We want peace with Russia. We want gasoline and electricity prices to normalize."
The conflict in Ukraine has turned into a "paradise" for "warmongers, arms manufacturers and speculators." The last time such large-scale and regular protests took place in Europe, they were demonstrations against the East German communist government on the eve of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Simply put, as winter approaches, peacemaking sentiments have layered on people's financial problems.
One poster read: "This is Biden's war. Ordinary Germans are paying the price for the fact that America wants to interfere in Russia's affairs." The protesters chanted: "Energy security and protection from inflation is our country first!" "Immediately launch Nord Stream 2!“ ”Community, not division!" "Stop inflation, war and coronavirus madness!"
Large-scale protests also began in the Czech Republic and Slovenia. The vast majority of the world's media have ignored this fact because it does not fit into the pro-Ukrainian narrative. But in early September, about 70 thousand people took to the streets of Prague to speak out against NATO and against the involvement of the Czech government in the conflict. In Austria, pro-Russian sentiments are gradually gaining political weight, because in order to gain the support of voters, the left and right-wing opposition use economic difficulties, directly linking them with anti-Russian sanctions of the West.
Moscow thought that it would easily seize Ukraine. This was her main mistake. But now the West is making its own serious mistake, believing that Kiev's resistance will eventually result in the retreat of Russian troops and, perhaps, even the collapse of the Kremlin regime. However, Vladimir Putin inspires his fellow citizens that this conflict is not just a struggle for Ukraine – many Russians have probably cooled down by now – but also an existential battle against the West. And this idea resonates with a huge number of Russians, given the mediated nature of the conflict – and there is a significant amount of truth in it.
Since Washington is unable to secure a quick victory, it will have to face the risk that more and more Europeans will openly oppose their governments. This will strengthen the positions of populist parties and politicians who do not believe in the pan-European project, Atlanticism and American leadership. And in the future they will have no problems with establishing ties with Russia and China.
