Since the Russia Ukraine war began several countries in Eastern Europe have been on their guard as they fear they could be dragged into the quagmire any time. Although Russia has constantly denied that it has intention to expand the conflict zone. However many leaders of Eastern European nations have become paranoid. Now they are mulling the idea whether to attack Russia in preemptive strikes before Putin allegedly decides to invade their territories.
Several countries in Eastern Europe are considering a pre-emptive strike against Russia, according to Financial Times. The reported development comes despite the Ukraine peace negotiations launched by Moscow and Washington. According to reports, the perceived pivot of the US President Donald Trump towards Moscow has brought back the geographical distinctions of the Cold War, namely the idea of “Eastern Europe”, and “Western Europe,” where one sees Russia as an existential threat and the other “isn’t that bothered.”
“We know. That’s why some of our countries are asking, ‘Why don’t we attack Russia now, instead of sitting waiting for it to attack us?’” an unnamed “prominent Eastern European politician” said, without elaborating.
Tensions Rising
For the past few months the tensions in Eastern Europe are rising incredibly as leaders are coming up with rhetoric that Kremlin will expand the war theatre and will look to push into their territories as well. The Baltic states which form a huge portion of Eastern Europe, have already cut of power lines from Russia. The Baltic states have officially unplugged from Russia’s electricity grid and are looking to integrate with Western European nations.
The Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk has ling held a very anti Russia stance and he has has been adding fuel to the fire, asking for a nuclear deterrence for his nation as well as massively increasing the numbers of the Polish army. Apart from Poland the Nordic nations who are also angling towards a confrontation with Moscow. Hungary and Serbia are among the few countries in the region that been vocally against the growing anti Russia rhetoric.
There have also been constant reports of undersea cables in the region getting cut down or destroyed. For many this looked as another attempt to damage Russia’s economy and delink the region from Moscow. Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Poland and the Baltic States have claimed that if allowed to win, Russia might attack them next. Moscow has consistently denied the claims, with President Vladimir Putin even describing them as “nonsense.”
Countries in Eastern Europe were historically often part of larger empires – Russian, German, or Austro-Hungarian – and frequently lost their sovereignty. Czech writer Milan Kundera described this vulnerability as “a small nation can disappear, and it knows it.” These nations have recently displayed the strongest anti-Russian sentiment and are among the most vocal in calling for bolstered defenses. EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas, a former prime minister of Estonia, is known for her hawkish views on Russia.
Russia US Efforts for Talks
The report comes as Russia and the US reestablished contacts last month and held high-level talks in Saudi Arabia. Brussels, however, is insisting on continued military support of Kiev.
In response to Trump’s reported halt of American military aid to Ukraine, aimed at forcing Kiev to negotiate, EU leaders, led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, agreed on a €800 billion plan to “rearm Europe” and maintain support for Kiev.
Moscow has pledged to take measures to safeguard its security amid the “militarization” and “confrontational rhetoric” coming out of the EU. It has also long warned against Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing that they only prolong the conflict without altering the outcome, while increasing the risk of a direct clash with NATO.
The US has been angling for a resolution in the conflict however Ukraine President Zelensky seems keen to continue the clash. His stance has been backed by Western European nations especially France and UK and the Baltic and may Eastern european nations are looking at this as an opportunity to join forces and engage Russia.
