German, French, and Polish Perspectives on the War in Ukraine

In 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine came as a shock to European countries, who unanimously condemned it as a war of aggression and acted to bolster Ukraine’s defense. Europeans have different understandings of the endgame in Ukraine and the risk of escalation. Three of the European Union’s (EU) key member states, Germany, France, and Poland, have taken varied approaches to this question. This diversity is reflected in the deliverance of military support to Ukraine and the history of the country's relations with Russia. Understanding these divergences will play an essential role in determining the war's outcome and shaping the future of European security.