Security Threats in Europe

Since hundreds of years ago, war has become an "inseparable part" of Europe. Until now the war has not stopped whacking the continent.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

LUDOVIC MARIN

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (bottom, center), European Council President Charles Michel (bottom, left), and Moldovan President Maia Sandu (bottom, second from the left) posed with other European leaders at the European Political Community Summit in Bulboaca, Moldova, on Thursday (1/6/2023).

In the midst of the armed conflict in Ukraine, 47 leaders of European countries gathered in Moldova, attending the 2nd Summit of the European Political Community or European Political Community< /a> (EPC). Although one of the topics discussed was Russia's invasion of Ukraine, none of the leaders of Russia and Belarus, a country supporting the invasion, showed up.

The military security issue cannot be avoided and has become a concern for the forum initiated last year. Holding its first summit meeting in October 2022, the EPC presented European Union (EU) and non-EU countries that are considered to uphold "European values".

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Moldova and emphasized the importance of security guarantees for European countries bordering Russia. "All countries bordering Russia should join the European Union. Only with clear security guarantees can we be safe from Moscow's ambition to engulf us all," said Zelenskyy. (Kompas.id, June 2, 2023, "United European Leaders Face Russia").

GAVRIIL GRIGOROV

Russian President Vladimir Putin led a meeting with government officials via video conference at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 31, 2023.

Read also: United European Leaders Face Russia

In a broader historical perspective, the war in Ukraine is just one among many armed conflicts in Europe. Some examples include the Thirty Years' War, which resulted in millions of casualties and was ended by the Westphalia Treaty in 1648. There was also a major war in the 18th century due to the competition between England and France. And of course, we cannot forget World War I and World War II, which were manifestations of Germany's competition with other European countries.

At the same time, there has been a rocky relationship for centuries between Russia and European countries, which affects Moscow's perception of the West. Conversely, this relationship also colors how Europe views Russia. In this context, Ukraine's position as a strategic link between Western Europe and Russia for centuries makes Ukraine crucial for Moscow.

SERGEI SUPINSKY

Residents walk between cars hit by the rubble of buildings that were attacked by drones (drones), in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 30, 2023.

Also read: NATO and the US Still Want Ukraine to Join

A history of armed conflict and its atrocities contributed to the birth of the EU. Countries on the continent are trying to deepen cooperation with each other to avoid competition that could lead to war. After World War II, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was born, which was not only to contain the Soviet Union. NATO led by the United States (US) was actually formed to ensure that there would no longer be nationalist, militaristic and racist regimes like the NAZI in Europe.

The issue of military security threats in Europe never disappears. However, we should always be optimistic that humans can always find common ground, build mechanisms to prevent prolonged armed conflicts or even a world war from happening. Therefore, forums such as the EPC should be maintained to become a sincere and open communication tool for any parties involved.