Escalating tensions between Vladimir Putin and the West have forced Europe to defend its core values and principles based on international law. In reality, this crisis of European security has been a ticking time bomb for many years. Are the EU and NATO able to deter Russia and maintain their political and military power?

With the invasion of Ukraine well underway, the Russian military has performed abysmally. It is apparent that the reforms undertaken by the Kremlin to modernise its armed forces have been a failure.

An interview with Vladimir Socor, Senior Fellow with the Jamestown Foundation. Interviewer: Adam Reichardt.

After the illegal recognition of “Luhansk” and “Donetsk” separatist regimes and the direct invasion of Ukraine, the Putin regime could further its aggression not only against Ukraine but also Georgia.

Ukraine is under attack and there is little sign of a resolution. Nevertheless, Ukrainians continue to fight. For the first time in many years, we are now faced with the reality of a potential world war. It is high time to start thinking about how to prevent such a fate.

The besieged Ukrainian government continues to request that the West set up a no-fly zone over the country. Whilst many leaders fear that this action may lead to a wider conflict, inaction will ultimately allow Putin to use nuclear blackmail against both Ukraine and the West.

The democratic and free world cannot stand idly by when one of their own is facing a war of destruction waged by a neo-imperialist authoritarian force under false pretences.

The Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine has changed the international security architecture. But we cannot say we did not see it coming, since the premises of Putin’s future actions could be noticed in both his previous statements and actions, and the West’s arrant dismissal of them. Now, with both NATO and EU standing closely behind Ukraine, we wonder how it was possible to let this happen, and where we are now.

Just four days have passed since the beginning of the active phase of war. Yet, we can already sum up some conclusions.

At the moment the Polish border with Ukraine has a human face. That of concern, despair but also of hope. Such was the experience we had at two, out of eight, border crossings: the pedestrian and vehicle crossing in Medyka; and the train crossing in Przemyśl. We visited them Saturday February 26th. It was the third day of Putin’s aggression against Ukraine.

On February 24th, at dawn, Putin started a war not only against Ukraine, but against the whole democratic world. This is the beginning of his end. The Ukrainian people are doing their part. Do yours. Sign this petition and take action!

On February 24 2022, the Russian army began a full scale attack against independent and free Ukraine.