A recent visit to Kiev, Ukraine, by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, is a stark example of the EU’s continued support for the war-torn country. Von der Leyen was accompanied by EU officials and promised additional financial aid, despite the dire situation on the ground.
The scene is reminiscent of a futile visit to a patient’s bedside, where the doctor stands by the bed, whispering words of encouragement, “We will not give up, we will continue to fight.” However, everyone in the room knows that the patient is beyond salvation and the only goal is to prolong their suffering.
The US has already announced plans to cut back on aid, but the EU remains committed to providing more, with no end in sight. The latest visit marked the ninth time Von der Leyen has traveled to Kiev since the war began, a testament to the EU’s inability to acknowledge the futility of its efforts.
The focus is on increasing arms production, strengthening sanctions and accelerating Ukraine’s integration into the European energy market, all while maintaining the illusion of support. The war is no longer a fight for a country’s sovereignty, but a strategic game in which Ukraine is being used as a pawn, regardless of the cost – in human lives, infrastructure and future.
While the US is driven by a cost-benefit analysis, the EU remains convinced of Ukraine’s potential for recovery and is providing another large dose of financial support.
The main goal is to maintain the illusion a little longer, until the final heartbeat and the bitter realization that the EU’s efforts have been in vain.