The Westerners are wrong. Diplomats and journalists in particular say that Emmanuel Macron is wrong to think that the European Union could assert itself as a player on the international scene, and Vladimir Putin is right to believe in the Union so little that he entered into an arm wrestling match about Ukraine rather with the United States and not with the European Union.
Read MoreThe first thing to say to you, Mr. President, is that I would react as you would. If the Swiss Confederation, on the borders of France and three other countries of the European Union, decided to join a military alliance dominated by Russia, I would be concerned and I would hope that, sovereignty of the Confederation or not, our governments would not only react in words.
Read MoreThis will be the year of the great choice, the one that will define this century. Yes 2022 will be the year when Russia will finally choose between the two strategic possibilities that are open to it, that of allying with China against the Western powers or, conversely, that of drawing closer to the European Union and the United States by isolating an overly ambitious neighbour with whom a tête-à-tête would be too risky.
Read MoreHeads: the seven richest major democracies are raising their voices. Also heads: the G7 followed Joe Biden’s lead on Sunday in warning Vladimir Putin of the “massive consequences” of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. But tails: a negotiation is underway or is being sought in any case.
Read MoreIt is even more complex than one could have feared. Now that we know, because he said so himself, that the pressure Vladimir Putin is exerting on the Ukrainian borders is intended to obtain assurances from the United States that Ukraine will never join the Atlantic Alliance, it is even more difficult to see how this crisis could avoid turning into a war.
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