Europe’s Response to the Ukraine Crisis

The widow of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, Yulia Navalnaya, recently addressed the European Parliament and urged European leaders to think innovatively and creatively in supporting Ukraine and deterring Russian aggression. The European Union has agreed to provide a substantial package of grants and loans to fund Ukraine’s government and public services, but challenges remain, such as the delay in sending military support and disagreements over the types of weapons to provide. European leaders are exploring various options, including using frozen Russian assets to fund military support for Ukraine and possibly implementing a lend-lease arrangement akin to what was done for the USSR during World War II. However, there are concerns about the long-term challenge posed by Russia and whether European governments fully grasp the threat. The need for a cohesive and strategic response from Europe is crucial to effectively addressing the crisis in Ukraine and countering Russian aggression.