An exceptional event, an exceptional response. Faced with Russian tanks and combat planes launched in the invasion of Ukraine, an event described by Emmanuel Macron as “turning point in the history of Europe and our country” during his speech on February 24, theEurope entered a phase of unprecedented common actions a week ago.
Long mocked for its impotence in the face of Vladimir Putin, the European Union first adopted a series of major economic sanctions in retaliation for the offensive led by the Russian army. The process is not new. Russia had already been targeted by economic measures, in 2014, following the annexation of Crimea. “The only leaders in the world sanctioned by the EU are the Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad, and the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and therefore, now, Vladimir Putin for Russia”recalled the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, at a press conference, Friday, February 25.
But the EU’s historic break in its diplomatic doctrine came on Sunday evening, following a speech by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Brussels announced to the Twenty-Seven the use of an envelope of 450 million euros “to supply Ukrainian forces with lethal weapons, as well as fuel, protective equipment and medical supplies”. According to the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, this is the end of a “taboo that the Union does not supply arms to belligerents”.
For Sylvain Kahn, doctor in geography, associate professor of history at Sciences Po and author of the book History of the construction of Europe since 1945 (PUF editions, 2021), this decision is very similar to a “historic break”. “It’s a change of doctrine, even during the war in Yugoslavia (1991-2001), the European Union had never done that”, he decides with franceinfo.
The agreement reached to support Ukrainian military capabilities comes just three days after the start of the war. A measurement “spectacular for its speed, and for the consensus from which it stems”, analyzes the historian Nicole Gnesotto, vice-president of the Jacques-Delors Institute. Even Viktor Orban’s Hungary, which has rarely aligned itself with the position of other EU countries in recent months, has joined the common sanctions without reservation. “Whereas until now, Viktor Orban displayed his ideological closeness to Vladimir Putin”, notes Sylvain Kahn.
“The Europeans woke up abruptly in a stupor. Their agreement is proportional to the aggression of Russia.”
Nicole Gnesotto, historianat franceinfo
Beyond the common decision-making of the EU, this week is also marked by the historic reversal of certain member countries. Germany has thus reviewed its pacifist position, inherited from the end of the Second World War. On Saturday, Berlin agreed to deliver weapons to Ukraine, what she had always forbidden herself in a conflict zone. The country will notably provide anti-tank rocket launchers and Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Germany also immediately provided 100 billion euros more to modernize its own army. Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, also announced for his country an annual investment of more than 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in defence.
A time economic partner of Vladimir Putin’s Russia, Berlin has also changed course by suspending the authorization of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and by supporting the exclusion of Russian banks from the Swift international payments platform, an essential cog in global finance.
“The bifurcation is particularly visible with Germany, even if it is part of a movement that affects all European countries.”
Sylvain Kahn, doctor in geographyat franceinfo
“To understand this change of course, it should be remembered that the German government is very attentive to the movements of public opinion. One hundred thousand people demonstrated on Sunday in Berlin in solidarity with Ukraine”, analyzes the researcher.
In the wake of Germany, Sweden announced its intention to break with its policy of neutrality. Until now, this country, which is not a member of NATO, has ruled out delivering arms to a state at war. On Sunday, however, the Swedish government promised to send 5,000 anti-tank rocket launchers to Ukraine. A first since 1939 and the attack on Finland by the USSR, underlined the Prime Minister, Magdalena Andersson. “It is a very telling signal that a country like Sweden, a country which has not been at war since the middle of the 18th century, is at the forefront”, analyzes Sylvain Kahn. The specialist recalls that theeden has reinstated military service in recent years, sensing the Russian threat growing. Finally, even if it is not a member of the EU, Switzerland has also broken with its historic neutrality, resuming on Monday “integrally” the sanctions of the Twenty-Seven against Russia.
However, can this momentum revive the debate on the need for European defence? This is what Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wants, quoted by The echoes. “We need a strong European army. It is not impossible and it will allow Europe to finally play a major role”, he hammered. Remarks which echo those of Emmanuel Macron, a few weeks ago, during the presentation of the challenges of the French presidency of the Council of the European Union.