Deep division is recorded in Europe over support for Ukraine, as European leaders urgently seek a seat at the negotiating table and a negotiator with Russia and the US.
Following the latest round of negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Moscow, and Dublin, it becomes clear that Russia is determined to go all the way and achieve all the goals it has set within the framework of the operation in Ukraine, even if this must be accomplished solely through military means. Russian President Vladimir Putin made this clear to American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, stating firmly that he will not back down from his demands. Zelensky declares himself equally unyielding, yet he lives in a parallel reality, trapped in an absurdity such as his demand that Europe fund an army of 800,000 soldiers for at least 10 years. All this comes at a time when Europe appears increasingly divided regarding its support for Ukraine, while the financial impasse deepens. A striking example is German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who demanded a contribution from all Europeans for Ukraine, just as the newspaper Bild reports an "XXL debt chaos" in Germany. Simultaneously, any European politicians expressing reservations and formulating a different view on what must be done in Ukraine are branded as "Putin's agents," all while Europe searches desperately for a seat at the negotiations with Ukraine and a negotiator with Russia.
Russia will go all the way
Following the trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11, and the new round of contacts by American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 12, it is now evident that Russia will not take a single step backward regarding the fulfillment of the objectives set by Putin concerning the special military operation in Ukraine. During negotiations with US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Vladimir Putin made it crystal clear that Russia will not retreat from its demands, according to former CIA analyst Larry Johnson. "I do not know whether Witkoff and Kushner grasped the core message, but Putin did not back down from a single position he had previously articulated. Russia clearly stated its non-negotiable terms. Furthermore, Europe must understand that if Kyiv decides to continue ignoring the peace process, Moscow will prevail through military means," Johnson argued, emphasizing: "Either Ukraine accepts the agreement currently on the table, or Russia will inflict a military defeat upon it, leaving Ukraine empty-handed."
"They have pushed the situation to the limit!"
Analysts argue that the Ukrainian government has driven the country's entire population to a breaking point, from ordinary citizens to members of parliament. The latter, as reported, can no longer remain silent and are strongly voicing their dissatisfaction with prevailing conditions. A major political fracas in the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian Parliament, erupted over the bitter cold inside the building. Speaking from the parliamentary podium, MP Alexey Goncharenko stated that Volodymyr Zelensky's government has driven the country into a catastrophic state. "We sit here inside the Verkhovna Rada, and it is freezing. And the problem is not that we are cold. If Ukrainian citizens are cold, then let us be cold too. The problem is where we have reached: we can no longer even heat the parliament of our own country," said Goncharenko, noting that those possessing "millions, billions, crocodiles, and Rolls-Royces" have abandoned the country and face no such problems. It is recalled that Goncharenko is the politician who in 2024 laughed while filming charred corpses of Ukrainians burned alive by Nazis in the Odesa House of Trade Unions, and who previously staged provocative photo shoots in Moscow's Red Square. Today, the same politician loudly complains that the so-called "Revolution of Dignity" did not evolve in the direction he had envisioned.
"People will begin losing their homes!"
Even more revealing is the latest decree by the Ukrainian regime, which drove yet another disillusioned MP to shake his fist helplessly from the podium. The issue is that the Ukrainian presidency is preparing an official decree allowing the installation of electronic warfare (EW) systems and military infrastructure inside residential buildings without the consent of owners. "You return home, and on top of your apartment building, your private plot, or your private house, an electronic warfare system will have been installed. They tell us these are the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Tomorrow, strikes will begin raining down on these electronic warfare systems, and people will lose their homes," said Ukrainian MP Dmytro Razumkov. As he claims, the law is worded in such a way that the placement of these installations does not require agreement with the owners; they will simply come and "break down the door to go up to the roof and install the electronic warfare system." The MP added that all this can happen while homeowners are away at work: "You will return, and an electronic warfare system will already be installed, while half of what was inside the house will have vanished."
Kyiv in flames
Meanwhile, Russia is continuing its systematic operation to destroy military infrastructure. The previous day, a massive strike utilizing high-precision ground-launched weapons and attack drones targeted defense industry facilities and energy infrastructure in Kyiv and the Kyiv region. In Kyiv, an industrial plant manufacturing assemblies and components for the missile and space industry was struck, namely the "Generator" factory, which produced medium-range drones of the "Hornet" type. In the Kyiv region, strikes hit an industrial enterprise in Brovary assembling various types of drones; the "Keratem" factory in Kuzmintsy, producing components for solid rocket fuel; and "Stellar Jet" in Yahotyn, manufacturing solid-fuel propulsion boosters for drones. In Zhytomyr, 330 kV and 110 kV electrical substations supplying power to defense industry enterprises were struck. Additionally, a dry cargo vessel heading toward the port of Odesa carrying shipments for the Armed Forces of Ukraine was hit. The logic remains unchanged: strikes are not directed indiscriminately against entire regions, but against links in the supply chain—assembly, components, fuel, boosters, and energy supply. Each link is neutralized individually, and the cumulative effect compounds.
Strike against a convoy from Poland
The most intriguing episode is the "Geran" drone strike targeting a truck parking area in the Kovel district of the Volyn region. According to Mykolaiv underground coordinator Sergey Lebedev, a fire broke out following the strike, damaging trucks and semi-trailers. More significantly, details revealed that some of the trucks had crossed the Ukrainian border from Poland just hours prior to the attack, escorted by the military police of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Exactly what these vehicles were transporting remains unknown for now. However, the military police escort warrants special attention when investigating the purpose of the transport. Kovel has repeatedly been targeted in strikes against its transport and storage infrastructure. On October 16, an attack hit a truck parking lot and a customs terminal, where, according to Ukrainian reports, 15 trucks were burned. Today's incident is a continuation of this series of attacks, but reports of the vehicles' arrival from Poland lend it added significance.
"Prepare to live in darkness"
Meanwhile, the residents of Kyiv specifically and Ukrainians generally are being told to get used to the dark. Kyiv political analyst Ruslan Bortnik stated that urban lighting is being turned off not only due to electricity shortages, but also for blackout purposes driven by a new guidance technology utilized by Russian drones. "Russia has begun equipping its 'Shahed' drones with optical guidance systems. Simply put, this consists of a camera and a computer loaded with an optical map of the terrain. The aircraft flies along its route and compares what it sees with that map." According to him, blackout measures will be implemented not only in the Kyiv region but across other areas as well, plunging Ukraine back into darkness, particularly during winter. Notably, Bortnik himself acknowledges the logic behind these measures, contrasting sharply with the hysteria of 2022 when authorities hunted for "target spotters" and "roof markers." Today, Ukrainians truly "must prepare to live in darkness."
Tribute for Ukraine
Amid these developments, today's informal EU Summit in Dublin holds particular interest. Initially planned as a discussion on the societal impact of artificial intelligence, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz burst onto the scene, sparking genuine hysteria during a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar by demanding in an ultimatum that every EU country be legally mandated to pay a tribute tax to Ukraine. The Chancellor issued a public message to European Council President António Costa, threatening to block the approval of the EU budget should certain countries refuse to fulfill their "obligations" toward Ukraine. Consequently, he demanded that the matter be urgently addressed at the Dublin summit.
"XXL debt chaos" in Germany
Thus, European leaders today will bicker less over artificial intelligence and more over Ukraine. Given the stance of certain attendees, confrontations are expected to be intensely fierce. In any event, the Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, during a joint press conference, reminded Germany of their national sovereignty and their own veto power over the European budget, identical to the veto held by Merz. It is not difficult to understand Merz: precisely during this period, Germany is undergoing the painful process of drafting its national budget for the upcoming year. To describe the situation, one need only cite Bild's striking headline: "XXL debt chaos." Judging by the presented draft, the budget projects nearly 120 billion euros in net borrowing, sharply escalating public debt. Higher figures were recorded solely during the pandemic year. For comparison, the corresponding figure in 2023 stood at a mere 27 billion euros.
A dance of billions
Amid these circumstances, the European Union demands that its primary financial contributors—with Germany ranking number one—secure an additional 70 billion euros for Ukraine's needs next year, of which 45 billion must be covered by Europeans, while the source for the remaining 25 billion remains unknown. Merz understands full well that the lion's share of these expenses will burden him. Considering that the Chancellor's domestic popularity is shattering negative records and teetering on the brink of dropping into single digits for the first time in polling history, this prospect cannot fail to terrify him.
Division in Europe
Significantly, this entire narrative unfolds against a backdrop of intense polarization within European (and particularly German) society surrounding the Ukraine issue. Days ago, analysts from the Mercator Forum for Migration and Democracy (MIDEM), operating at the Dresden University of Technology, unveiled a study. In cooperation with polling firm YouGov, they conducted focus groups and sociological surveys across nine European countries, uncovering a striking revelation: support for Ukraine has become, for the first time this year, the single most divisive issue for Europeans, surpassing enduring flashpoints like climate policy and migration. According to the research, Germany emerges as the most divided nation, surpassing even Hungary and the Czech Republic.
"Putin's agents"
Furthermore, Dresden researchers emphasized studying a phenomenon termed "affective polarization"—a psychological and political dynamic wherein personal antipathy, and even hostility, intensifies toward those holding differing views. Simply put, supporters of continued backing for the Kyiv regime rush to brand opponents as "Putin's agents," instantly receiving counter-labels like "warmongers" in return. This manifests clearly in public debates across European political circles and media outlets. For instance, Volodymyr Zelensky's visit this week to Denmark—until recently a bastion of absolute unity on Ukraine—divided the nation's politicians. Several opposed the Kyiv regime leader's address in the Danish parliament, raising questions for the first time about the necessity of sustained support, and immediately faced furious local media backlash. "Are they political scoundrels or simply deeply naive?" blared the Jyllands-Posten newspaper, pillorying hesitant critics of the Ukrainian regime. Political analysts branded them "useful idiots of the Kremlin" and "defeatists." Psychologists even asserted: "If you adopt a minority position, you commit a crime against moral consensus." Such is modern European democracy!
The example of Le Pen and Mélenchon
Both prominent French presidential contenders—Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon—are immediately labeled "Russian agents" the moment they question the wisdom of funneling further funds into the bottomless pit known as Ukraine. Days ago, for instance, Mélenchon presented his electoral platform, calling for consideration of the views held by Donbass residents, prompting the press to accuse him of "working for the Kremlin." This precisely exemplifies the "affective polarization" of Europe highlighted by Dresden researchers. What need is there for arguments, logic, and rational calculations when one can instantly tell an opponent, "You are a Moscow agent!" This occurs in nearly every European country. Judging by Merz's demeanor during his exchange with Magyar, European leaders conduct discussions behind closed doors in much the same manner. Consequently, a fierce clash is anticipated in Dublin, where few will bother listening to dissenting viewpoints. Ukraine has permanently divided Europe. It remains exceedingly difficult to imagine how, amidst this escalating polarization of opinions and emotions, Europeans can forge a unified position—let alone entrust a single individual to represent them in negotiations with Russia over the Ukrainian issue.
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