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Europe is changing. The Continent is reassessing its strategic relationships, getting serious about defense, rethinking policies on trade, accession and energy security. Broadly speaking, it’s rethinking what it means to be European — and that’s largely because of Ukraine’s comedian-turned-president.
This is not the first time in recent years that Ukraine has been attacked by Russia. The country has seen its elections hacked, its gas supplies cut off, its territory violated. But until Russian President Vladimir Putin’s latest assault, the rest of Europe did little. There were false dawns in 2004, when the Orange Revolution promised a pro-European government, and then again in the Euromaidan protests in 2014, which once more signaled closer ties between Ukraine and Europe — but these largely petered out.
The reason why things are different this time is because of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a figure Europe has not only come to trust, but to admire and follow — unlike Ukraine’s previous presidents. Just look at how European leaders flagging in the polls run to Kyiv for a photo-op with the solemn-looking 44-year-old in his now iconic olive green T-shirt. Standing at his side is how politicians yearn to be seen.
What Zelenskyy has done is convince the rest of Europe that its future is tied to Ukraine’s — a notion few believed before Russia’s invasion in February. His communication skills have been key. His rhetoric lays out in stark terms the malevolence of the Russian regime he is fighting against, dispelling much of Europe’s faith — particularly in Berlin and Paris — that Moscow can be a partner.
Zelenskyy’s canny use of social media, traditional media and Western cultural institutions (like appearances at the Grammys or the Cannes film festival) have brought the war to the West in a visceral way, convincing leaders and the public that his battle is also theirs.
That gives him the authority to make Europe do what he wants. If he wants weapons, he gets them, even if it means reversing Germany’s long-standing policy not to sell them. If he wants sanctions, he gets them, even if it means Europe goes through an energy crisis and a tough winter with sky-high gas prices. Whether it’s seeds, trucks to ship Ukraine’s grain produce or zero tariffs, the requests are swiftly signed off. He even managed to break the logjam regarding the country joining the European Union, which has been frozen since 2013. In June, the bloc’s leaders put Ukraine on the path to membership.
Zelenskyy’s leadership also means that whatever issues Ukraine had internally — widespread corruption, a weak economy, social divisions between Ukrainian and Russian speakers — are being overlooked. His reputation as a plain-talking war president fighting the good fight is all the West sees at the moment. He is trusted with the weapons, grants and intelligence support that is only likely to expand as the West considers handing over air defense systems.
As long as Zelenskyy is alive, he will continue to move Europe in the direction he wants.
Source: Politico
