EU is the Paper Tiger

In the 1994 Budapest Agreement, Russia, the United States, and Britain promised to secure Ukraine’s independence if Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons. However, this promise proved futile, as nuclear weapons are more powerful than any waterproof paper agreement, international law, or regulation.

In 1938, the Munich Agreement was signed, which British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declared would guarantee “peace in our time.” However, the peace guaranteed by this paper only lasted a few months.

History is replete with similar examples. Unfortunately, EU countries have not been able to interpret historical facts wisely. Gullible democratic nations have hoped that human nature would change with technological and economic development.

There is a lack of common sense in EU countries. If two men have a disagreement and one has a loaded rifle while the other has a valid paper agreement, who will win?

Many of us have long emphasized the importance of credible defense for the security of EU countries. However, Putin’s supporters have labeled us as warmongers, even though it is about being prepared. When you go skiing in the mountains, you should be prepared for a blizzard.

Now, the EU countries are reaping what they have sown. Nuclear-armed states are deciding the future of Europe and its borders, while the EU countries look on.

The situation is also incomprehensible because the EU is an economic giant compared to Russia. Nevertheless, Russia controls the EU countries because it has a credible army.

EU countries have long relied on the security provided by the US military, which has now been revealed to be a miscalculation. As a result, we have no choice but to listen politely to what Trump wants. Defense spending should be increased to at least the same level as in the US, i.e., 3.4 percent of GDP. Threatening will not help, because the EU only has something to lose.

The quickest way to develop a credible defense for EU countries is through a joint loan specifically targeted at frontline countries. It is also worth remembering that a joint loan is money created out of thin air, which can be easily forgiven with EU central bank’s magic tricks.

Unfortunately, the separate small armies of EU countries do not provide the same protection as the joint armies of the United States, Russia, and China. The armies of EU countries should be united under a democratically elected leadership group of representatives from the member states.

If we want lasting peace in the world, the leaders of different countries must understand that we are all brothers and sisters. After that, the armies of different countries can gradually be united under a common military alliance. There are many solutions to many problems, but there is only one path to peace.

Antti Roine, Ulvila 17 February 2025