From the Estonian colleague who calmly told me there will be a Russia-Nato war in the next few years in which Estonia will be partially or completely destroyed, to the Polish mother who no -longer wants her son to pursue a military career--people are drawing conclusions. 2/
— Matthew Light (@MattLightCrim) July 10, 2024
I mention this because the US and Nato seem to assume that as long as the invasion of Ukraine is contained to Ukraine, and Russia is not actively invading other regional countries, whatever happens in Ukraine (such as the destruction of a children's hospital) stays in Ukraine. 4/
— Matthew Light (@MattLightCrim) July 10, 2024
They are sadly mistaken. Yes, Ukraine and its people are bearing the brunt of Russia's invasion of Europe. But even if the invasion should end tomorrow, the reputational damage to Nato (and I daresay the EU) has been huge. They have been exposed as inept and compromised. 5/
— Matthew Light (@MattLightCrim) July 10, 2024
People in CEE countries are not fools or passive victims. They see what is being allowed to happen to their neighbour and update their own views accordingly. This is one reason (among many) why the delay in achieving Ukrainian victory is so damaging to the collective West. 7/
— Matthew Light (@MattLightCrim) July 10, 2024
Essay Pro