European Union Increases Sanctions On Russia

 

The European Union has placed more sanctions on the Russian Federation. Sanctions have not ended the Russia-Ukraine War. These sanctions are ineffective and are having negative economic effects on EU countries. The increase in fuel prices harms businesses and consumers in Europe. The majority of African and Asian nations are not placing sanctions on the Russian Federation. The reason is due to the fact Russia has better relations with the Global South. Ukraine's war effort is taking a turn for the worst. The exchange of drone warfare and missiles has added to the brutality of the war. Ukraine has hit Moscow with long range missiles and did an incursion into Kursk. At some point, the Ukrainian military will collapse. The conflict is a war of attrition and a proxy operation under the supervision of NATO. Eastern Europe is not only being militarized, but the entire EU. Sanctions only hinder efforts at diplomatic resolution. President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen proposed  a 131 billion euro defense budget. This is going to paid for by taxing the citizens of the European Union countries. The United Kingdom hold the position of keeping the conflict going. The US has not produced a peace settlement and the majority of talks end in failure. The Istanbul talks are not going to end the conflict as long as sanctions are imposed on Russian energy. Now that President Zelensky is facing internal protests, his political future is uncertain. Protesters were voicing their grievances about government corruption. Even if the war ends the internal situation in Ukraine will be unstable. The EU would probably support an authoritarian Zelensky dictatorship for the sake of undermining the Russian Federation. Belarus could in the future subject to even more sanctions to harm a Russian ally.     

The European Union 2024 Elections

 

Europe is moving in the direction of the far-right. Much of this was predicted based on economic and political issues, The 2008 financial crisis created much social stress and it was followed by the refugee crisis. The Arab Spring since 2010 has caused massive waves of those fleeing countries in a state of war or subject to regime change. The issue persisted and far-right political parties exploited it to their advantage. When the Russia-Ukraine War broke out sanctions were imposed. This had an opposite effect, because Europe is dependent on Russian energy. The economic hardship that followed that policy caused unemployment and inflation. The citizens of EU countries lashed out by electing far-right parties in the 2024 EU elections. Political centrism is not going to stop the growing discontent across Europe. The voters are getting more vexed with a political establishment that does not respond t their needs. This might explain why French President Emmanuel Macron called for snap elections. France is seeing a similar phenomenon in domestic politics. Many times far-right parties claim to have moderated their views. The tactic is designed to deceive voters of true intentions. The new far-right would not be fascist by definition. Analysts of political science call them populist, but the term is not specific enough for this shift. The precise term is xenophobic nativist nationalism. Those who have been active in politics for a number of years still do not comprehend the nature of this movement. Either it could become a serious threat to democratic institutions or a fringe movement regulated to forgotten history. Political conditions are not so turbulent that a totalitarian system could emerge. Under extreme economic and social distress it can. The European left must become formidable enough to challenge the establishment, centrist,  and the new xenophobic nativist nationalism movement. Otherwise the far-right parties are going to become more powerful.    

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico Hospitalized

 

Robert Fico is in critical condition after being shot at a political rally. This was an apparent assassination attempt. The reasons for the attempted assassination are yet to be revealed. The news of Prime Minister Robert Fico's hospitalization is causing concern in Europe. The continent is becoming more unstable and this assassination attempt demonstrates instability could spread to France , the UK, and Germany. Prime Minister Robert Fico has been a longtime figure in Slovakian politics. He first served as prime minister from 2006 to 2010. Fico returned to office a second time from 2012 to 2018. The Smer Party is considered on the left. However, this does not mean Fico was unwilling to work with leaders such as Viktor Orban. The Hungarian prime minister's politics are more far-right in comparison. The reason Fico might have been attacked was because of his desire to make peace with Russia. Prime Minister Fico did not want to arm Ukraine. The more conservative and pro-NATO elements of Slovakia began to protest. The shoot according to Slovakian reports was a 71 year old man. The motivation remains unclear. Some speculate the culprit was vexed at the election outcome last October. Slovakia does not have a history of political violence. Parliament concerned about growing violence decided to suspend debate. A date has not been given for resumption of duties. Slovakia is heading to an era of extreme political polarization. The assassination attempt is going to divide the public even more.   

Russia Intends To Place Tactical Nuclear Weapons In Belarus

 

The Russian Federation intends to place tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Building up the military strength of Belarus was one plan to counter NATO expansion. The option was available if or when Ukraine becomes part of the military alliance. The second option was to intervene in Ukraine's civil war and secure the Donbas. Now it appears that a hybrid of both plans will be used. Without the INF Treaty, nuclear weapons production will increase. Finland comes closer to NATO membership, Russia wants to counter the new members with Belarus. Eastern Europe is becoming more militarized. Tension and fear only creates a more unstable atmosphere. The proliferation of nuclear weapons next to a war zone could cause further escalation. Tactical nuclear weapons are short range and to not have the capability of obliterating entire cities. These types of nuclear weapons are not subject to the same treaties as strategic nuclear weapons. The United States also has tactical nuclear weapons present on the soil of its NATO allies. Knowing this the possibility of a nuclear war becomes more likely. This is the first time Russia has sought to deploy nuclear weapons outside its borders since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The decision might have been adopted in response to the ICC warrant for President Vladmir Putin and the continued shipment of arms from EU countries. Whatever the result will be, Eastern Europe has become a zone of proxy war.